Approximately how long do CP stores sustain maximal effort?

Approximately how long do CP stores sustain maximal effort?

• A. 5 seconds
• B. 10 seconds
• C. 20 seconds
• D. 60 seconds

Answer: (B)

Think about the immediate energy system behind a maximal burst. The ATP-CP (phosphocreatine) system uses stored CP to quickly regenerate ATP, allowing very high power output without oxygen. Because those CP stores are limited, they can sustain maximal effort for only a short time—usually about 8–12 seconds, with 10 seconds being the common tabletop estimate. After CP is depleted, the body must rely on slower pathways (like anaerobic glycolysis), which can’t maintain maximal power for long and leads to fatigue. So the best match is around 10 seconds.

Think about the immediate energy system behind a maximal burst. The ATP-CP (phosphocreatine) system uses stored CP to quickly regenerate ATP, allowing very high power output without oxygen. Because those CP stores are limited, they can sustain maximal effort for only a short time—usually about 8–12 seconds, with 10 seconds being the common tabletop estimate. After CP is depleted, the body must rely on slower pathways (like anaerobic glycolysis), which can’t maintain maximal power for long and leads to fatigue. So the best match is around 10 seconds.