6th Grade · Science · Activity · shared by Luke Morgan
This 6th Grade Science activity explores human energy use, analyzing fuel sources and energy conversion for high-intensity sprints versus steady walks.
Energy in Motion: The Dash vs. The Distance
Your task is to investigate how the human body uses different energy strategies depending on the intensity and duration of an activity. You will analyze a data profile of two different athletes—one completing a high-speed 100-meter sprint and another completing a steady one-mile walk—to determine which activity relies more heavily on immediate, stored fuel sources versus long-term energy conversion.
Your body needs power to move. For fast work, your body uses glycogen . This is a special sugar kept in your body so you can reach it fast. This fuel turns into ATP . This is the main part that gives the chemical energy your body needs to make a move. When your body works, it turns this energy into mechanical force . This force pulls on your body parts to make them go.
Fast tasks like running use up this sugar very quickly. This happens because your body needs a big burst of power right away. On the other hand, easy tasks like walking use energy at a low speed. During a long walk, the body starts to switch from sugar to burning fats for fuel. This change happens because the sugar stores are small and can run out. While fats give a lot of energy, the act of changing them into helpful ATP is not as fast as using sugar.
Review the following data profiles for Athlete A and Athlete B. Use this information, along with the text above, to complete your CER report.
Data Category
Athlete A (100m Sprint)
Athlete B (1-Mile Walk)
Duration of Activity
12.5 seconds
20 minutes
Intensity Level
Maximum Burst
Low/Steady
Primary Fuel Source Used
Muscle Glycogen
Glycogen and Fats
Energy Conversion Speed
Very Rapid
Slow and Sustained
Analysis Questions:
1. Which athlete is using the fuel source that is converted most quickly into ATP?