Phosphocreatine system

The phosphocreatine (PC) system uses a substance called creatine phosphate to 'glue' or resynthesise
the third phosphate molecule back on to ADP to make ATP. It is capable of reforming ATP very quickly,
however, because there is only a very small amount of creatine phosphate stored in the muscles the
energy supply is very limited. No oxygen is required for this system and no by products such as lactic
acid are produced.

This system can only be used for immediate or very short bursts of activity such as throwing a ball or
running for a bus. It is used at the start of exercise for activities which require a brief maximal effort, for
example, explosive events such as the long jump, javelin or 100m and is exhausted after about 10
seconds of maximal activity.

As energy demands continue after the initial burst of activity the body has to utilise other energy
systems such as the lactic acid system to continue to make more ATP.

The muscles of the body function through the use of ATP, or adenosine triphosphate, to power
contractions.  When one molecule of ATP is used in the contraction process, it is hydrolyzed to ADP,
adenosine diphosphate, and an inorganic phosphate.  The muscles’ limited ATP supply is used very
quickly in muscle activity, so the need to regenerate ATP is essential. 

One of the ways that this ATP supply is regenerated is through the molecule creatine phosphate (or
phosphocreatine).  In the process of regeneration of ATP, creatine phosphate transfers a high-energy
phosphate to ADP.  The products of this reaction are ATP and creatine.  Creatine phosphate can be
obtained from two sources: ingestion of meat and internal production by the liver and kidneys.   Creatine
and creatinine (fromed from the metabolism of creatine) waste is removed from the body through the
kidneys and urinary system.