The oxygen debt of a sprinter is best described as

  • A. the extra oxygen needed after the race to oxidise accumulated lactate
  • B. the oxygen permanently lost from haemoglobin
  • C. the oxygen stored in myoglobin
  • D. the oxygen needed for the Krebs cycle during the race

Explanation

During intense effort lactate builds up because oxygen supply lags behind, and afterwards heavy breathing continues until the lactate is reconverted, mainly in the liver. Heavy breathing after the race is the visible sign of repaying this debt.

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