Is squatting aerobic or anaerobic

More and more people like to go to the gym for training, which shows that people’s awareness of training has increased. There are many classic movements in gym training, such as squats, which is one of the more classic training subjects. Squat is a training posture that girls prefer to use. However, many people don’t know whether squats are aerobic exercises. In fact, squats are a type of exercise with relatively high intensity.

It is a classic training movement that both athletes and ordinary fitness enthusiasts should not miss!

It can greatly exercise our whole body muscles, legs, buttocks, abdomen, back and core strength! It’s great for helping us build muscle strength, lose fat, and improve athletic performance!

But many newbies have a question when doing squats! Is it anaerobic exercise or aerobic exercise? Let me answer your questions today!

Aerobic and anaerobic refer to the way our body provides energy under different exercise intensities!

The main indicator to distinguish aerobic and anaerobic exercise is exercise intensity! The body uses different energy supply systems depending on the intensity of exercise.

Three energy systems during exercise: phosphate (ATP/CP) system, lactic acid (glycolysis) system, and aerobic system! The first two belong to the anaerobic system, and the latter belongs to the aerobic system!

1. ATP-PC system: explosive/high power/extremely short time

The ATP-PC system or phosphocreatine system is the fastest way for the human body to produce ATP. When the ATP in the muscle cells is broken down, the creatine phosphate (PC) originally stored in the muscle cells will be broken down into creatine and phosphate by the catalysis of creatine kinase (Creatine Kinase), and energy will also be released. The energy generated in this process can help ADP to be resynthesized into ATP. However, because the amount of ATP or PC stored in the muscles is small, the ATP produced by this system is mainly used as an energy source at the beginning of exercise or to complete high-intensity exercise within 10 seconds, such as short-distance sprinting, heavy weightlifting, etc.

2. Lactic acid system: medium power/short time

The lactic acid system is an energy system that is activated when ATP and PC in muscle cells are about to be exhausted and exercise needs to continue. Simply put, it breaks down glucose or glycogen into pyruvic acid or lactic acid through glycolysis. This process also produces ATP to supply the body's needs.