The Navy SEAL Physical Fitness Guide - Human Performance

16 Overview of Physical Fitness

Methods of Physical Training

Most people think of exercise as being either aerobic or anaerobic. However, in

most types of exercise, a blend of both aerobic and anaerobic exercise is involved. For

example, during a 1500 m run, energy is provided by anaerobic metabolism at the

Table 1-2. Percentage Contributed by Each Energy

System to Overall Energy Needs of Various Activities

Physical Activity

ATP-CP

System

(%)

Lactic Acid

and

ATP-CP

System

(%)

Oxygen

Aerobic

System

(%)

Marathon - 5 95

Rowing 20 30 50

Running - 100 m 98 2 -

Running - 1 mile 20 55 25

Running - 3 miles 10 20 70

Running - 6 miles 5 15 80

Skiing Downhill - Racing 80 20 -

Skiing - Cross-Country - 5 95

Swimming - 50 m 98 2 -

Swimming - 100 m 80 15 5

Swimming - 200 m 30 65 5

Swimming - 400 m 20 40 40

Swimming - 1500 m 10 20 70