NETA Personal Trainer Exam 2026 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Anaerobic glycolysis is a metabolic pathway that allows cells to produce energy in the absence of oxygen. During this process, one molecule of glucose is broken down into two molecules of pyruvate, resulting in the formation of a net total of two molecules of ATP.

In anaerobic conditions, the pyruvate can then be converted to lactate, but the key point is that the conversion process releases energy that was stored in the glucose molecule. Each glucose molecule yields a direct gain of two ATP molecules from the glycolytic pathway itself.

The mention of four ATP may confuse some, as the glycolytic pathway produces four ATP molecules in total through substrate-level phosphorylation; however, two ATP are consumed during the initial stages of glycolysis, resulting in a net gain of two ATP. Thus, the most accurate representation of ATP production from anaerobic glycolysis is two.

Understanding the mechanics of this pathway is crucial for anyone studying exercise physiology, especially in scenarios where energy demand exceeds oxygen supply, such as high-intensity workouts.