PE — three energy systems explained

VCE Physical Education · Energy systems · 6 flashcards, free to study.

Durations, fuels, byproducts. Plus OBLA + EPOC for the long-answer exam questions.

Three energy systems

ATP-PC (phosphocreatine), anaerobic glycolysis, aerobic system.

ATP-PC system — duration & rebuild time

Dominant for ~0–10s. Full rebuild ~3–5 minutes of rest.

Anaerobic glycolysis — fuel & byproduct

Glucose → 2 ATP + lactic acid (no oxygen needed).

Aerobic system — fuels

Carbohydrates, fats, (proteins as a last resort). Yields ~30 ATP per glucose.

OBLA (lactate inflection point)

Exercise intensity at which blood lactate accumulates faster than it can be cleared.

EPOC — what is it?

Excess post-exercise oxygen consumption — extra O₂ used after exercise to restore systems to resting state.

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