Which metabolic pathway is primarily used for short-duration exercise lasting less than 10 seconds?

The creatine phosphate system is the primary metabolic pathway utilized for short-duration exercise lasting less than 10 seconds. This pathway is crucial for quick bursts of high-intensity activities, such as sprinting or heavy lifting.

During such brief exertions, the energy demand exceeds the body's capacity to generate ATP (adenosine triphosphate) through aerobic means. Instead, the body relies on stored creatine phosphate within the muscle cells to rapidly regenerate ATP. This pathway can produce energy almost instantaneously, allowing for explosive movements.

In contrast, other metabolic pathways, like aerobic glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, require more time to ramp up and become effective, making them unsuitable for immediate energy needs during very short-duration exercise. Anaerobic glycolysis, while also a fast energy source, typically supports activities lasting around 30 seconds to a few minutes rather than under 10 seconds. These characteristics highlight why the creatine phosphate system is the dominant energy provider for brief, high-intensity efforts.