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Subjects · Leaving Cert Physical Education

Leaving Cert Physical Education: Energy systems

How often Energy systems comes up on the Physical Education papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 4 of the last 5 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2024. most years

OL Asked on 3 of the last 5 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2024. most years

Energy systems, Higher Level(6 marks)

Quick ones on Energy systems.

(a)Main energy system for a 100 m sprint (about 10 s)?
  1. Lactic acid system
  2. ATP-PC system
  3. Aerobic system
(b)Main energy system in a 400 m race (about 50 s)?
  1. Aerobic system
  2. ATP-PC system
  3. Lactic acid system
(c)By-products of the aerobic energy system?
  1. Carbon dioxide and water
  2. No by-products at all
  3. Lactic acid and oxygen gas
Show the answers

(a) ATP-PC system

(b) Lactic acid system

(c) Carbon dioxide and water

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Energy systems.

Higher Level

Asked on 4 of the last 5 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2024. most years

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Not asked
2024Q12
2023Q10
2022Q6
2021Q13

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Energy systems questions

Energy systems, 2 marks

The fuel of the lactic acid system is?

  1. Phosphocreatine
  2. Fat
  3. Glycogen (glucose)
Show the answer

Glycogen (glucose)

The lactic acid system breaks down glycogen without oxygen. Phosphocreatine fuels the ATP-PC system; fat is used by the aerobic system.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 3 of the last 5 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2024. most years

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Not asked
2024Q14
2023Q13
2022Q18
2021Not asked

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Energy systems questions

Energy systems, 2 marks

Which energy system mainly supplies a shot put throw?

  1. Aerobic system
  2. Lactic acid system
  3. ATP-PC system
Show the answer

ATP-PC system

The ATP-PC system gives very fast energy for maximal efforts of up to about 10 seconds, like a throw, jump or short sprint. It uses phosphocreatine and makes no waste.

Energy systems, 2 marks

Which energy system mainly supplies a marathon?

  1. Lactic acid system
  2. Aerobic system
  3. ATP-PC system
Show the answer

Aerobic system

The aerobic system uses oxygen and supplies energy for long, steady activity beyond about 2 minutes. It is slow but can keep going for hours.

Energy systems, 2 marks

Which fuels does the aerobic system use?

  1. Glycogen and fat
  2. Phosphocreatine only
  3. Lactic acid only
Show the answer

Glycogen and fat

With oxygen present, glycogen and fat are broken down fully. The by-products are carbon dioxide and water, which are easy for the body to remove.

Other Physical Education topics

All of Leaving Cert Physical Education