geist46,
Thanks making a post on this thread and your added insight.
Physical fitness (both Aerobic/anaerobic) is a tremendous part of the performance variable effecting survival and success as out lined thus far.
The combination of cardio and strength conditioning will directly effect your ability to act physically under pressure and stress.
Fitness, "burn time", the ATP/PC system, the lactic acid system, and the aerobic system
For instance, as a defensive tactics instructor, I have found it useful to outline for my students the concept of the "diminished fighter" when it comes to personal survival in a confrontation and the use of physical energy in a fight.
Basically, a combatant has a limited "burn time" for physical output before performance deteriorates dramatically.
You'll have approximately 10-15 seconds to control a threat before your physical output and strength takes a serious dump.
This is due to how the body stores and uses energy in conjunction with the ATP/PC system, the lactic acid system, and the aerobic system in a descending order.
In physical confrontations, your initial physical output will consume the energy bundles stored in your muscles in the ATP/PC system. This energy burst is high end for strength related activities such as defending against physical assault. The ATP/PC system will burn out quick (10-15 seconds) and be followed directly by the use of the energy associated with the lactic acid system.
ATP/PC stands for Adenosine Triphosphate/Phosphocreatine.
Once the ATP/PC system is spent, the lactic acid system will provide the next intermediate strength reserve for survival related activities and last up to 45 seconds. Your strength will at about 55% of what your output was with the first system.
Lastly, the aerobic system is utilized if a confrontation lingers past 90 seconds, The aerobic system is your final and dominant energy reserve fueled by a combination of oxygen, carbs, and free fatty acids. When you are using your aerobic system to draw upon for strength, you'll by at about one third your normal output until the cessation of your activity.
The bottom line, get fit stay fit and plan for and expect a diminished output under survival stress.
swanson