More ATP per carbon is produced from oxidation of fatty acids as compared to glucose. However, fatty acids are used primarily to
provide fuel for ATP synthesis during long periods of exercise. Why can't fatty acids be used to fuel short, intense periods of exercise? A. Short, intense periods of exercise preferentially activate ATP synthesis from glucose.
B. Short, intense periods of exercise do not signal release of fatty acids from adipose tissue.
C. Short, intense periods of exercise do not require ATP synthesis.
D. Short, intense periods of exercise do not provide sufficient time for oxidative phosphorylation to occur.
Although, option A appears correct but the reason for option A is actually option D. What this means is that, during short intense exercise (anaerobic exercise), the body preferentially activates ATP synthesis from glucose (glycolysis) even though the beta oxidation of fatty acid produces more energy (ATP) - this is because <u>glycolysis occurs many times faster (about a 100 times faster) than the beta oxidation of fatty acid/oxidative phosphorylation</u>. Thus, it can be said that short, intense periods of exercise do not provide sufficient time for oxidative phosphorylation to occur.
