Final answer:
Strength athletes primarily use glycogen stored in their muscle cells for quick energy production during high-intensity exercise, with a smaller contribution from body fat. Glycogen is hydrolyzed to glucose for use in the glycolytic pathway, providing a rapid supply of ATP.
Step-by-step explanation:
Strength athletes use primarily glycogen stores for energy during short, intense bouts of exercise, with a minor role for body fat stores. Glycogen, a polymer of glucose, serves as an important energy storage molecule in animals and is made and stored predominantly in the liver and muscle cells.
About 70% of the total glycogen is stored in muscle cells, providing a readily available source of glucose for ATP production during vigorous exercise. Liver glycogen, while making up a smaller percentage of the body's total glycogen storage, plays a crucial role in maintaining normal blood glucose levels.