What happens in your body when you experience oxygen debt?

When experiencing oxygen debt, your body struggles to maintain energy. This condition occurs during intense exercise when the demand for oxygen exceeds the supply available to the muscles. As a result, the body shifts to anaerobic respiration to produce energy, which is less efficient and leads to the accumulation of lactic acid. This process can result in muscle fatigue and a decreased ability to perform at the same intensity, indicating that the body is under strain and cannot sustain energy output effectively. Thus, the correct answer highlights the physical state of the body trying to cope with insufficient oxygen for the required energy production.