What compound allows for 10-15 seconds of high-power work?

The compound that allows for 10-15 seconds of high-power work is creatine phosphate. This molecule serves as a rapid source of energy during short-duration, high-intensity activities, such as sprinting or heavy lifting. When your body engages in such activities, it relies on the stored creatine phosphate in muscle cells to quickly regenerate adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the primary energy currency of the cell.

During the first few seconds of intense exercise, ATP is utilized to fuel muscular contractions. However, the total quantity of ATP stored in muscles is limited. To sustain high-power output, creatine phosphate donates its phosphate group to adenosine diphosphate (ADP) to reform ATP. This process can happen rapidly and supports short bursts of energy, typically lasting around 10-15 seconds.

Other compounds mentioned, while they contribute to energy production, operate in different contexts or timelines. For instance, lactic acid is a byproduct produced during anaerobic glycolysis, which kicks in after the immediate energy supplied by ATP and creatine phosphate diminishes. Glycogen serves as a major energy source during longer exercise durations, as it must first be converted into glucose and then processed through glycolysis and oxidative