Which macronutrient provides most of the energy required for moderate- and high-intensity activities?

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

To tackle this question, I’ll evaluate what each macronutrient contributes to energy production during moderate- and high-intensity activity.
Option a: Minerals. Minerals are essential for many body functions and can modulate metabolism, but they do not provide a direct, primary energy source like the macronutrients do; they mainly act as cofactors and regulators rather than energy suppliers.
Option b: Protein. Proteins can be used for energy, but only after amino acids are deaminated, and they are not the body's preferred fuel during most exercise bouts. Protein's primary roles are tissue repair and enzyme function, not rapid energy provision in the common exercise window.
Option c: Vitamins. Vitamins are vital for metabolism and energy production pathways, yet they do not supply substantial calories themselves. They function as coenzymes and enable energy-releasing reactions, not as the main energy substrate.
Option d: Fat. Fats are a major energy source, especially at rest or during longer, lower-intensity efforts and during prolonged activities. However, during moderate- to high-intensity activities, the rate of energy production from fat is slower compared to carbohydrates, making fats less efficient for providing most of the energy in these conditions.
Option e: Carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are stored as glycogen in muscles and liver and can be rapidly mobilized to glucose, fueling high-rate energy production required in moderate- to high-intensity activity. They provide more ATP per unit time than fat under these conditions, which is why they are considered the primary energy source for such exercise intensity.
Option f: Water. Water is essential for hydration and physiological processes but does not supply calories or energy to power muscular work.
In the context of moderate- to high-intensity activity, the body relies most heavily on readily available carbohydrate energy, since the speed of ATP generation is higher from carbohydrate metabolism (glycolysis and associated pathways) than from fat oxidation. Thus, carbohydrates are the dominant energy source during these intensities, while fats contribute more at lower intensities or during prolonged efforts when fat oxidation ramps up.

HESM 286 (001) FALL 2025 Cumulative Final Exam

Which macronutrient provides most of the energy required for moderate- and high-intensity activities?

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