4.1 INTRODUCTION

In this training guide I hope to give you a basic understanding of how our bodies use energy and how it relates to underwater hockey.

4.2 ENERGY SYSTEMS

All the movements we make are the result of muscular contractions. For our muscles to contract they need energy or `fuel'. This fuel is provided in the form of Adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is an energy rich molecule which is stored in our muscles. It is the breakdown of the ATP to Adenosine diphosphate (ADP) that releases a phosphate and the energy for muscular contraction.

ATP---->ADP + P + ENERGY

The ATP has one of its phosphates ` broken off'. The energy that was stored in the bond between the phosphates is then used for muscular contraction. For further muscular contraction to occur however the ADP must be converted back to ATP ie the phosphate that was broken off must be put back on. This too requires energy. The body has three ways of replacing the phosphate. These are called our energy systems or energy pathways.

The three systems are:

It is the INTENSITY and DURATION of the activity that determines which system the body will use to convert the ADP back to ATP.

4.2.1 Anaerobic Alactic

This system is used for very high intensity, 95 to 100% of maximum effort. It only lasts for about 10 seconds but recovers very quickly, 50% in 30 seconds and 100% in 2 minutes. It does not require oxygen therefore you do not have to breath which is ideal for an underwater hockey player.

4.2.2 Anaerobic Lactic

This too is used for high intensity but from 60 to 95% of maximum effort. If working at 95% it will last about 30 seconds and at 60% it will last about 30 mins. Unfortunately there is a waste product called lactic acid. It is the build up of lactic acid which causes muscular fatigue and soreness. It takes 20 minutes to 2 hours for the body to remove the lactic acid. Like the alactic system it does not require oxygen.

4.2.3 Aerobic

This is used for low intensity work up to 60% of maximum effort. At low intensity there is no limit to how long you can go. The only recovery time needed is the time it takes to eat and replace fuel stores. This system however does require oxygen. The only waste products are Carbon dioxide which we breath out and water which we sweat or pass out.

4.3 TRAINING EFFECTS ON THE THREE SYSTEMS

4.3.1 Anaerobic Alactic:

4.3.2 Anaerobic Lactic

4.3.3 Aerobic

4.4 HOW TO TRAIN THE THREE SYSTEMS

To train the systems you must do activities or training which place a strain on the specific system being trained. When the body is place under stress it reacts and adapts to meet the needs required. It is this adaption which is the improvement in fitness. For best benefit the training must also be specific to the sport or activity.

4.4.1 Anaerobic Alactic

To train this system you must put in 100% maximum effort. The duration is for 10 seconds as we know that this is how long this system lasts before you change to the LACTIC system. We also know that you will recover fully in 2 mins. So to place a stress on this system we can look to either increase the duration or decrease the time allowed to recover or combinations of both.

For example to improve recovery time we would aim at gradually decreasing the rest between sprints or increasing the duration of the sprint for 11 to 12 seconds. As the system does not require oxygen the sprints can be done either under or on the surface.

4.4.2 Anaerobic Lactic

To train this system we can use the same principles as for the alactic; the only difference being that you are only working at 60 to 95% of max effort.

4.4.3 Aerobic

It is important to have a good aerobic fitness as it helps the other two systems and greater gains can be made when training. It is possible that an improving aerobic system will cause some improvement in breath hold as the body becomes more efficient in its use of oxygen. To train this system you must do an activity that is of sufficient intensity to get the heart rate up to about 60% of the maximum for your age for a duration of at least 20 mins not including warm up. (The maximum heart rate for your age can be roughly calculated by: 220 - Age.)

This can be done in a number of activities such as aerobics classes, walking, running, cycling, as well as swimming with or without fins.

4.5 WHEN TO TRAIN

When training for an event or season you should use a technique called PERIODISATION. This basically means that you should do different types of training depending on the time in the season. As hockey is a new sport and periodisation is a very large topic I am going to give you some basic outlines. We can divide training into three phases for the season.

PHASE 1: Light aerobic work perhaps jogging or swimming twice a week.

PHASE 2: More aerobic emphasis training up to four times a week. Start to

incorporate some anaerobic twice a week work building up to a high volume but low intensity.

PHASE 3: Little aerobic work perhaps once a week to maintain aerobic

fitness. Building up anaerobic endurance by having harder sessions. That is: increase repetitions, decrease rest etc.

Higher intensity and low volume.

4.6 TRAINING SESSIONS

Most of us train by doing length after length in the pool. This tends to be very boring and is not very specific to what goes on during a game. Try and use a repetitions and sets method. That is do a number of reps for a number of sets.

Eg. say we want to train the alactic system.

REPS SETS REST BETWEEN REPS REST BETWEEN SETS INTENSITY

4 3 15 SECS 2 MINS 100%

This is placing stress on the alactic system by not allowing total recovery between reps but allowing full recovery between sets. By using this method and all the variables, rest time, intensity, number of reps, number of sets, there is an infinite number of possibilities for preparing training sessions. All it takes is a little imagination. Sessions should be no longer than half an hour of fitness training including warmup.

Shane Clegg