Rapid Breathing Pays Back the _______ Debt by Breaking Down

Question

Rapid breathing pays back the _______ debt by breaking down lactic acid.
A) creatine
B) glycogen
C) oxygen
D) glucose

Accepted Answer

Rapid breathing (or hyperventilation) increases the amount of oxygen taken into the body, which is needed to break down lactic acid. During exercise, when the body uses energy faster than oxygen can be supplied to the muscles, lactic acid builds up and causes the muscles to tire. Oxygen debt is the amount of oxygen required to break down the accumulated lactic acid. Therefore, by increasing oxygen intake through rapid breathing, the body can pay back the oxygen debt and break down the lactic acid.