Metric · Aerobic & Anaerobic Energy Contribution

The energy behind every power number.

Aerobic & anaerobic energy contribution is the share of aerobic and anaerobic metabolism in your total power output or speed: the percentage of energy from each system, at any speed or power.

INSCYD computes it from tests you already run: a field lactate test, a lab test, or a ride or run recorded with a power meter or GPS watch.

% Aerobic & Anaerobic

anaerobicaerobic
50100200300400500600697020406080100%

Trusted by the teams and federations behind the best in sport

From national federations and Olympic programmes to WorldTour teams and professional clubs worldwide.

Where the energy comes from.

Every power output or speed creates a metabolic demand, and your body covers it from two sides. Oxygen uptake covers the aerobic share: the steady, sustainable source using fat and carbohydrates as a fuel for the metabolism in mitochondria. And then there is a share of energy that is not covered aerobically but anaerobically. Under steady-state conditions that share comes from glycolysis.

Metabolic demand & VO₂

oxygen uptake (VO₂)oxygen demand
50100200300400500600697020406080100ml/min/kg
Metabolic demand against oxygen uptake in the INSCYD report: the blue area between the two curves is the anaerobic, glycolytic share.

Athlete phenotype and training status.

The aerobic vs glycolytic energy share is ruled by the maximum capacities of both aerobic and glycolytic metabolism.

Simplified speaking think about it this way. The power output or speed, so basically the load, creates a specific energy demand. This demand has to be covered. The stronger one system is, aerobic or glycolytic, relative to the other one decides the energy share. This means: in athletes with a relatively good developed VO₂max but a relatively low VLamax, the energy demand will be primarily met by the aerobic system. In contrast: an athlete with a relatively high VLamax but relatively low VO₂max the glycolytic system will provide a bigger energy share.

Every metric that matters

One assessment. The complete picture of your athlete’s physiology.

VO₂max, VLamax, FatMax, thresholds, fuel use and training zones, from a single test in the lab, in the field or fully remote.