Which energy system provides short-term energy lasting up to a minute?

Which energy system provides short-term energy lasting up to a minute?

• A. Aerobic/Oxidative
• B. ATP-PC System
• C. Glycolytic/Lactic Acid
• D. Creatine Kinase System

Answer: (C)

Short-term energy lasting up to a minute is supplied mainly by the glycolytic (lactic acid) system. This pathway rapidly breaks down glucose or muscle glycogen to ATP when the demand is high and oxygen delivery isn’t sufficient for sustained aerobic production. As activity continues toward the minute mark, lactate can accumulate, which is why this is often described as the lactic-acid system. The aerobic system, while it eventually contributes, is more about longer durations beyond a minute and uses oxygen to steadily produce ATP. The phosphagen/ATP-PC system provides energy for very brief efforts—typically around 10 seconds or less—so it isn’t the best fit for up to a minute. The creatine kinase system is part of that rapid-energy pathway, not a separate longer-duration source. So, for short-term efforts up to a minute, the glycolytic (lactic acid) pathway is the appropriate choice.

Short-term energy lasting up to a minute is supplied mainly by the glycolytic (lactic acid) system. This pathway rapidly breaks down glucose or muscle glycogen to ATP when the demand is high and oxygen delivery isn’t sufficient for sustained aerobic production. As activity continues toward the minute mark, lactate can accumulate, which is why this is often described as the lactic-acid system. The aerobic system, while it eventually contributes, is more about longer durations beyond a minute and uses oxygen to steadily produce ATP. The phosphagen/ATP-PC system provides energy for very brief efforts—typically around 10 seconds or less—so it isn’t the best fit for up to a minute. The creatine kinase system is part of that rapid-energy pathway, not a separate longer-duration source. So, for short-term efforts up to a minute, the glycolytic (lactic acid) pathway is the appropriate choice.