Name the three energy systems used during physical activity and identify which provides the most sustained energy for endurance tasks.

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Energy during exercise comes from three overlapping systems that work at different speeds and for different durations: an immediate ATP-PC (alactic) system that kicks in right away and lasts only about 10 seconds, a glycolytic (lactic) system that provides more ATP for short to moderate efforts but creates lactate as a byproduct, and a long-lasting aerobic (oxidative) system that uses oxygen to burn carbohydrate and fat to produce ATP over extended periods. For endurance tasks, the aerobic system is the primary source of energy because it can sustain large amounts of ATP production for long durations, provided oxygen delivery keeps up with demand. The other systems contribute during starts and bursts or when intensity is high, but they can't match the aerobic system for prolonged, steady activity.