Final answer:
Muscle recovery after 10 minutes can occur due to the efficient clearance of lactic acid and replenishment of ATP stores. Creatine phosphate and glycogen are key energy sources that provide ATP during initial exercise phases, allowing muscles to function without oxygen. After strenuous activity, 10 minutes is often enough for muscles to recover for further exertion, barring significant muscle damage.
Step-by-step explanation:
The recovery of muscles after 10 minutes can be attributed to the physiology of muscle energy systems and the dissipation of metabolic by-products. When muscles are used strenuously, they initially rely on creatine phosphate to supply ATP, which fuels muscle contraction for the first 8-10 seconds. After this, the muscles begin to use glycogen reserves to produce ATP, a process that doesn't require oxygen (anaerobic glycolysis) and can sustain activity for approximately 90 seconds. The by-product of this anaerobic process is lactic acid, which can cause temporary soreness and fatigue known as the 'stitch.'
However, lactic acid disperses quite quickly from the muscle tissue, and oxygen levels replenish as the heart and lungs catch up to the muscle's demands. Thus, within the span of 10 minutes, the muscles have had time to clear lactic acid, replenish ATP stores, and return to a rested state, greatly reducing feelings of tiredness and muscle soreness, assuming the muscle has not sustained significant damage. Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), which occurs one to three days post-exercise, is likely due to inflammation and microtrauma to muscle fibers rather than lactic acid buildup.