Which of the following types of exercise primarily utilizes the anaerobic glycolytic system?

The anaerobic glycolytic system is primarily engaged during activities that require short bursts of high-intensity effort lasting from approximately 30 seconds to 2 minutes. This energy system relies on the breakdown of glucose through glycolysis, producing energy without the use of oxygen.

Sprinting is a prime example of an exercise that utilizes the anaerobic glycolytic system. During a sprint, the body demands rapid energy production to maintain a high output, and it primarily draws on glycogen stores via anaerobic pathways to meet this demand. The maximal effort involved in a sprint depletes oxygen availability, leading to reliance on anaerobic metabolism for energy production.

While the other options involve physical exertion, they are characterized by energy systems that utilize oxygen (aerobic metabolism) or occur over a longer duration, which aligns them with different sources of energy. Marathon running and distance cycling rely heavily on aerobic metabolism due to their endurance nature, while weightlifting might involve the phosphagen (ATP-PC) system for short, maximal lifts, but does not primarily tap into the anaerobic glycolytic system in the same way that sprinting does.

Thus, sprinting effectively illustrates the engagement of the anaerobic glycolytic system due to the intensity and duration of effort involved.