Metabolic Conditioning

Introduction
In the second issue of CrossFit Journal, “What is Fitness?” we explored the nature of metabolic conditioning, or “cardio,” and highlighted some of the qualities of and distinctions between aerobic and anaerobic exercise, and touched on interval training. In this issue we’ll reexamine metabolic and interval training in a little more detail.

Review
Let’s begin with a review of metabolic training. Metabolic training refers to conditioning exercises intended to ncrease the storage and delivery of energy for any activity. There are three distinct biochemical means by which energy is provided for all human action. These “metabolic engines” are known as the phosphagen pathway, the glycolytic pathway, and the oxidative pathway.

The first, the phosphagen pathway, provides the bulk of energy used in highest-powered activities, those that last less than ten seconds.

The second, the glycolytic pathway, dominates moderate-powered activities, those that last up to several minutes.

The third, the oxidative pathway provides energy for low-powered activities, those that last in excess of several minutes.