Anaerobic Capacity
[an-air-oh-bik kuh-pass-ih-tee]
/ˌænəˈroʊbɪk kəˈpæsɪti/
Noun
The maximum amount of energy produced by the body in the absence of oxygen, typically during short bursts of high-intensity exercise.
Anaerobic capacity refers to the maximum amount of energy produced by the body in the absence of oxygen, primarily through glycolysis. It is crucial for short, intense bursts of activity like sprinting. High anaerobic capacity allows athletes to perform at high intensities for longer before fatigue. Training methods such as high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can enhance this capacity. In real-world scenarios, sprinters and middle-distance runners benefit from high anaerobic capacity. It matters to runners as it influences their ability to maintain speed and power during races, especially in the final sprint or uphill sections.