Final answer:
Oxygen debt secondary to strenuous exercise is due to the amount of oxygen needed to compensate for ATP produced without oxygen during muscle contraction.
Step-by-step explanation:
Oxygen debt secondary to strenuous exercise is due to the amount of oxygen needed to compensate for ATP produced without oxygen during muscle contraction.
During intense muscle activity, oxygen is required to restore ATP and creatine phosphate levels, convert lactic acid to pyruvic acid, and convert lactic acid into glucose or glycogen. These processes result in increased breathing rate after exercise, as oxygen intake needs to be elevated until the oxygen debt has been met.