What does the Law of Conservation of Energy state?

The Law of Conservation of Energy asserts that energy cannot be created or destroyed; rather, it can only be transformed from one form to another. This means that the total energy of a closed system remains constant, even though energy might change from kinetic to potential, thermal to mechanical, or any other forms during various processes.

For instance, when a ball is thrown into the air, its kinetic energy decreases as it ascends and is converted into potential energy, which then converts back to kinetic energy as it falls. This principle is foundational in both physics and exercise science, influencing how energy systems are understood in the context of human movement and sports performance.

Other options do not accurately represent this law. It is not possible for energy to simply be created or destroyed, nor does it always decrease over time or remain constant in a way that ignores transformation. This understanding is critical for trainers and coaches as they develop conditioning programs and analyze athletic performance, focusing on the energy demands of various activities.