500
Explain why at the end of intense exercise one breathes heavily?
What is oxygen debt
During vigorous exercise, metabolic rate of the active muscles increases rapidly and the demand for oxygen rises accordingly. Insufficient oxygen is delivered to the muscles to keep pace with their demands. As a result, the muscles start anaerobically, with the formation of lactic acid
The exhaustion of ATP and glycogen and the accumulation of lactic acid make it unable to contract any more do the muscle is said to be fatigued
During rest that follows, extra amount of oxygen is required for the conversion or oxidation of lactic acid to pyruvate. Some lactic acid is circulated back to liver where it is converted back to glycogen (also requires oxygen). The amount of oxygen required to break down lactic acid is called oxygen debt and this accounts for the heavy panting after vigorous exercise.