National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) Practice Exam

The primary function of anaerobic metabolism in the body is energy production without oxygen. This metabolic pathway is utilized during high-intensity exercise when the demand for energy exceeds the oxygen supply available to the muscles. In such situations, the body relies on anaerobic processes to produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate) quickly.

Anaerobic metabolism includes glycolysis, where glucose is broken down to produce energy in the form of ATP, resulting in the formation of lactate as a byproduct. This pathway is efficient for short bursts of energy, such as sprinting or lifting heavy weights, where the body requires rapid energy output.

In contrast to anaerobic metabolism, aerobic metabolism involves energy production in the presence of oxygen, which is more sustainable for longer-duration, lower-intensity activities but does not meet the immediate energy demands that anaerobic pathways do. Regeneration of ATP and storage of energy are important concepts, but they are not the primary function of anaerobic metabolism itself. The focus here is on the direct energy production aspect in environments where oxygen levels are insufficient to sustain aerobic energy production.