AQA A-Level PE Energy Systems Practice Exam

These questions are part of the practice quiz. Start practicing

• What is a reported benefit for athletes returning to sea level after altitude training?
• What factor accelerates glycogen restoration after high-duration exercise?
• Energy continuum
• Which energy system provides the majority of ATP during submaximal, long‑duration exercise?
• Respiratory exchange ratio (RER) measures the ratio of carbon dioxide produced to oxygen consumed and is used to assess exercise intensity and substrate use. Which statement is true?
• In the electron transport chain, hydrogen is oxidised to water and 34 ATP are produced. Where does this occur?
• VO2 max is determined by which two components?
• Lactate threshold is defined as the point at which lactate begins to accumulate more rapidly in the blood, typically around how many mmol/L above resting levels?
• HIIT is best described as which of the following?
• What is the relationship between VO2 max and lactate threshold?
• Immediately after a short explosive effort, which component primarily contributes to rapid ATP resynthesis?
• During a hammer throw, which energy sources provide the energy required for the movement?
• Which enzyme detects high levels of ADP to trigger ATP resynthesis in the ATP-PC system?
• What is the true statement about the respiratory exchange ratio?
• What adaptations contribute to superior anaerobic endurance in elite sprinters?
• Krebs cycle occurs in the matrix of the mitochondrion and uses oxygen.
• SAQ training primarily develops which ability?
• What is the main ATP-generation pathway in fast-twitch (Type II) fibers?
• Describe how the main cause of this muscle fatigue is removed from the body after the race.
• Sub-maximal oxygen deficit can be described as:
• How is lactic acid removed in the slow component / replenishment stage?
• What is lactate sampling used to determine?
• What is VO2 max?
• At the very start of high-intensity exercise, what happens to ATP in the muscles?
• How does age affect VO2 max?
• What does indirect calorimetry measure to estimate energy expenditure?
• Why is training at altitude considered hard?
• Sarcoplasm is described as
• Which enzyme is a key control point in glycolysis during high-intensity exercise?
• How do genetics influence VO2 max?
• Lactate sampling is used to accurately measure blood lactate levels and determine training zones. Which statement best describes its purpose?
• Electron transport chain is involved in a series of reactions in the cristae of the mitochondria where hydrogen is oxidised to water and 34 ATP are produced.
• The electron transport chain occurs in which part of the mitochondrion?
• What causes fatigue during high-intensity exercise due to lactate production?
• During the fast replenishment stage, approximately how many litres of oxygen are consumed?
• Short term lactate anaerobic system
• How long does the fast replenishment stage typically take to achieve 100% oxygen uptake after exercise begins?
• Which method provides more valid and reliable VO2 max results?
• Why are fatty acids the predominant energy source for long-duration, low-intensity exercise?
• What strategy is commonly recommended to minimize detraining when using altitude acclimation?
• Indirect calorimetry estimates energy expenditure by measuring which data?
• Which energy system provides energy for a single maximal movement, such as a long jump take-off?
• Which molecule combines with oxaloacetetic acid to start the Krebs cycle?
• Lactate threshold is the exercise intensity at which lactate begins to accumulate in the blood. How does the threshold relate to VO2 max with training?
• Which statement best reflects the key points of the ATP/PC energy system?
• Which gas is produced as a byproduct in the Krebs cycle?
• Which of the following is NOT listed as a lifestyle factor affecting VO2 max?
• In anaerobic glycolysis, glucose is broken down to lactic acid with how many ATP produced per glucose?
• What is a common problem associated with altitude training, and what is a typical mitigation strategy?
• In a 1500 metres race, the majority energy will be produced by which combination?
• Lactate sampling is primarily used to measure which of the following?
• In which part of the mitochondrion does the Krebs cycle take place?
• Where does the Krebs cycle occur?
• Cori cycle is defined as:
• What is the threshold called at which the lactic acid system is exhausted and the aerobic system takes over?
• What is the main ATP-generation pathway in slow-twitch (Type I) muscle fibers?
• Which muscle fiber produces less lactate and why?
• Which energy stores are listed as increasing VO2 max?
• Elite swimmers can complete a 200 metres free-style race in just under 2 minutes. Describe how the majority of energy will be produced for this type of race.
• Respiratory Exchange Ratio indicates which of the following?
• Which carriers shuttle hydrogen to the electron transport chain?
• For a maximal effort shot put, which energy system provides energy primarily?
• In the aerobic energy system, which stage begins in the sarcoplasm and is anaerobic?
• How many molecules of ATP are produced in glycolysis?
• Which term describes lactic acid being transported to the liver and converted to glucose and glycogen?
• After altitude acclimation, which adaptation commonly improves sea-level performance?
• In aerobic energy production, which process is directly linked to oxidative phosphorylation that yields the most ATP per glucose molecule under normal conditions?
• EPOC stands for Excess Post Exercise Oxygen Consumption.
• Altitude training is usually carried out at approximately what elevation where the partial pressure of oxygen is lower?
• Why does a triathlete continue to breathe heavily after finishing even when at rest?
• Which of the following is considered an advantage of a high-fat diet for long-distance swimmers?
• Which statements describe the Krebs cycle as presented?
• Which energy system is preferentially used when exercise intensity is low and oxygen supply is high?
• What is the primary outcome of plyometric training?
• Which are the four measurements of energy expenditure listed in the material?
• Explain the main cause of muscle fatigue during this race.
• OBLA stands for which term in exercise physiology?
• How many ATP are formed in the Electron Transport Chain per glucose?
• During anaerobic glycolysis, which substance is formed as a direct result of glucose breakdown in the absence of oxygen?
• In SAQ training, which term describes how fast a person can move over a specified distance?
• Which training adaptation would most likely increase VO2 max?
• Sub-maximal oxygen deficit occurs when:
• Phosphocreatine restoration to 50% after high-intensity effort takes approximately how long?
• Which RER value indicates fat oxidation predominates?
• During Excess Post-exercise Oxygen Consumption (EPOC), lactate produced during exercise is removed primarily by which process?
• What is the main energy system used throughout a long-distance triathlon?
• What is phosphocreatine (PC) primarily used for in energy provision?
• Which physiological factor increases VO2 max through improved cardiac output?
• What is the effect of a higher VO2 max on endurance?
• Plyometrics involve which of the following?
• What is the purpose of the excess oxygen consumption (EPOC) after exercise?
• What enzyme hydrolyzes ATP to ADP and Pi in energy release?
• A key adaptation from altitude training is an increased red blood cell count. Which effect best describes this adaptation upon return to sea level?
• What is the effect of aerobic training on VO2 max?
• What is the threshold called at which the ATP-PC energy system is exhausted and the lactic acid system takes over?
• Which piece of equipment is a stationary bicycle that measures work performed?
• Which enzyme converts pyruvic acid to lactic acid during anaerobic glycolysis?
• Define EPOC and identify the function of the fast component of EPOC as described.
• Which HIIT pattern best illustrates the concept described in the material?
• During recovery from high‑intensity exercise, lactate is primarily removed by conversion to glucose in the liver via which cycle?
• OBLA is defined as:
• What is the maximum theoretical ATP yield per glucose molecule in aerobic metabolism?
• What do you understand by the term VO2 max?
• In football, which energy systems predominate for these actions: a short 10 m sprint, a longer break, and jogging to maintain position?
• What are the two nutritional windows for optimal recovery after exercise?
• In plyometric training, what is the correct order of the stretch-shortening cycle phases?
• If lactate production increases and removal does not keep up, what happens to blood lactate?
• Which statement best describes the fast component of Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption (EPOC)?
• Which statement best describes the potential benefits and drawbacks of altitude training for endurance athletes?
• How many molecules of ATP are produced as a net yield per glucose during the short-term lactate anaerobic system (anaerobic glycolysis)?
• How does regular training affect lactate threshold relative to VO2 max?
• What is the typical amount of oxygen used to replenish myoglobin stores during early recovery?
• Stored fat is broken down into glycerol and free fatty acids for transport by the blood. What are the products?
• Through which process are fatty acids converted to acetyl CoA for entry into the Krebs cycle?
• Which term describes the calculation of heat in physical changes and chemical reactions?
• Which substance carries hydrogen to the electron transport chain?
• What are the functions of the fast component of EPOC?
• Which factor increases OBLA occurrence?
• Which of the following is a specialist training method used to improve energy systems?
• How does gender affect VO2 max?
• What additional information does indirect calorimetry provide during exercise?
• Phosphocreatine (PC) is described as
• What is oxygen consumption?
• Which substrate is primarily broken down to provide energy during high-intensity exercise?
• Which statement best explains energy provision in a 90-second gymnastic event?
• Lactate threshold and OBLA: Which statement describes OBLA and lactate threshold?
• Which adaptation is associated with altitude training?
• How does body composition affect VO2 max?
• The Krebs cycle primarily takes place in which part of the cell?
• If a performer is predominantly using carbohydrates for energy, the Respiratory Exchange Ratio (RER) is expected to be close to which value?
• Which statement best describes the relationship between VO2 max and lactate threshold?
• EPOC refers to:
• The fast component in recovery is:
• Which energy sources may a performer use during competition?
• Lactate tolerance is listed as a factor affecting VO2 max.
• Lactate threshold is defined as:
• Why might marathon runners choose to train at altitude?
• Altitude training adaptations often include which physiological change?
• Endurance training affects lactate metabolism by increasing capacity for aerobic respiration and reducing reliance on the lactate system. Which option best describes this adaptation?
• Beta-oxidation converts fatty acids into acetyl-CoA in the mitochondria.
• Before entering the Krebs cycle, pyruvate is converted to which molecule?
• Which method measures the concentration of inspired oxygen and expired carbon dioxide to assess metabolic gas exchange?
• Which statement best describes the shift in energy source as exercise intensity increases?
• Which energy pathway accounts for the majority of energy required by players in game-based activities?
• How many ATP molecules are re-synthesised during anaerobic glycolysis according to the material?
• Which adaptation is associated with higher VO2 max?
• An athlete completes an interval training programme with short high-intensity efforts and up to 30 seconds recovery. What happens to ATP/PC stores?
• In slow component replenishment, which statement best describes why breathing and heart rate remain elevated?
• Where does anaerobic glycolysis occur within the muscle cell?
• OBLA threshold is most commonly:
• Which muscle fibre type produces more lactate during high-intensity exercise?
• Glycolysis yields a net of how many ATP per glucose?
• Coupled reaction
• Which energy system predominantly supports a final sprint to the finishing line?
• Which component of recovery is responsible for restoring ATP and phosphocreatine stores and re-saturation of muscle with oxygen?
• Phosphocreatine (PC) is described as
• SAQ drills stress which energy system?
• A VO2 max test is commonly predicted using field tests such as the multi-stage fitness / bleep test. Which option best represents this approach?
• Which term is described as the only usable form of energy in the body?
• During the 400m world-record performance, which energy system provides the majority of energy?
• For gymnastics floor routines lasting up to 90 seconds, which sequence best describes how energy is supplied during the effort?
• What is the primary role of myoglobin in post-exercise oxygen replenishment?
• What happens to CO2 produced during the Krebs cycle?
• Glycolysis is defined as
• Which statement best describes the slow replenishment stage of EPOC?
• Calorimetry is:
• Indirect calorimetry primarily estimates energy expenditure from which data?
• During a graded exercise test, what is directly measured to determine VO2 max?
• The duration of the short-term lactate anaerobic (glycolytic) system is determined primarily by what?
• Under low oxygen conditions, what is the end product of anaerobic glycolysis?
• What does lactate clearance refer to?
• Which term describes a reaction that can occur without oxygen?
• Explain how the majority of energy required by a 1500 metre race is produced.
• Lactate sampling is primarily used to determine which of the following in elite training contexts?
• What factors determine which energy system is used during exercise?
• Which energy pathway operates without oxygen?
• How does body temperature affect breathing during slow component replenishment?
• What term describes the fast component of recovery that involves replenishing PC stores and re-saturation of oxygen in muscles?
• In RER values, which value indicates fat oxidation predominates?
• What blood concentration is commonly associated with the lactate threshold (OBLA) in trained individuals?
• How many ATP molecules are produced in the Krebs cycle per acetyl-CoA?
• Which organ is primarily involved in the Cori cycle during recovery?
• The electron transport chain is a series of reactions in the cristae where hydrogen is oxidised to water and 34 ATP are produced. This is indicative of which metabolic pathway?
• Buffering in physiology refers to:
• How many ATP are formed in the electron transport chain during complete oxidation of glucose?
• Which of the following is a structural/physiological reason why VO2 max may be greater in an elite athlete than a recreational runner?
• Which of the following would NOT contribute to a higher VO2 max?
• What does the lactate threshold indicate?
• Which factor is directly linked to lactate threshold?
• Anaerobic
• What is the respiratory exchange ratio (RER) defined as?
• Explain how the slow component of EPOC is achieved.
• Which of the following is a potential problem of altitude training?
• What happens if the rate of lactate removal is slower than production?
• Which enzyme initiates the breakdown of glycogen to glucose during anaerobic glycolysis in the short-term energy system?