ATP-PC System

• ATP


  Adenosine triphosphate
• Energy production for muscular contraction

  1. ATP splits off one phosphate

  2. Energy released

  3. Energy used to power muscle contraction
• We only have enough ATP for 2 seconds of muscle contractions
• PC system (ATP-PC system)


  • Also known as phosphocreatine or creatine phosphate system
  • Provides energy to rebuild ATP after it is depleted
• PC system is split


  Releases phosphate and creatine, which provides energy to rebuild ATP
• ATP-PC system

  • Only lasts 8-10 seconds
  • Only works when working maximally/anaerobically
• ATP amount in muscles is fixed, cannot be increased
• Athletes who use the ATP-PC system

  • 100m sprinters
  • Shot putters
• ATP-PC system takes 2-3 minutes to recover after being fully used