Question

When kaitlyn starts her runs, the phosphagen system is activated. for how long can this system provide energy?

Answer 1

Thanks for the question!

It is definitely a very interesting question to solve and do some brainstorming.

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The adenosine triphosphate creatine phosphate system or ATP-CP system or collectively the phosphagen system can effectively provide enough energy which can last for about $\texbf{10-11 seconds}$ (usually 9 to 10, but, some fast runners have the ability to extend it to 11 seconds). This system is seen predominantly in sprinters in a fast track running race, it is like a over and out exercise which finishes too quickly and is completely different from glycogen-lactic acid system which secrets lactic acid into muscles and clears the oxygen debt after a long rest (by breaking down through means of abundance in oxygen) and the aerobic system which is using only oxygen for energy production. The phosphagen system uses a phosphate compound called as creatine phosphate which gives out high energy, it is found in muscle cells and is a quick substitute for ATP levels in the body. The phosphate groups removed from the CP complex and ATP is formed along with creatine and this reaction does not need oxygen, hence, it is also known as anaerobic or oxygen-defict reaction. This is generally the fastest and the best way to derive chemical energy and resynthesise ATP molecules. The sprinters use this to make a quick-fire advantage to get in a race, they fatigue out quickly because of a limited supply and storage of creatine phosphate and adenosine triphosphate in the skeletal muscles and the whole muscular system, hence, depriving out of energy quite quickly in about 8, 9, 10 and 11 seconds depending upon the storage of creatine phosphate (some might suffer from vitamin E deficiency causing reduced phosphokinase and creatine phosphate activities or other disorders like creatine deficiency syndrome, etc.).

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Hope it helps and solves your query!!