Muscle fibre types

Question 1

Muscle fibre

Answer 1

A muscle fibre is the name given to the cells that make up your muscles

Question 2

Myoglobin

Answer 2

A protein in the muscle responsible for transporting oxygen to the mitochondria

Question 3

Mitochondria

Answer 3

A structure in the sarcoplasm where aerobic energy production occurs.

Question 4

Phosphocreatine (PC)

Answer 4

A high energy compound stored in the muscle fibre sarcoplasm. It is used as a fuel for very high intensity energy production (ATP-PC energy system)

Question 5

Slow oxidative

Answer 5

Used for endurance

Physical characteristics
- motor neurone size: small
- motor unit size: few
- capillary density: high
- Myoglobin content: high
- Mitochondria density: high
- Phosphocreatine stores: low

Performance characteristics
- contraction speed: slow
- contraction force: low
- fatigue resistance: high
- aerobic capacity: high
- anaerobic capacity: low

Question 6

Fast oxidative glycolytic

Answer 6

Used for speed

Physical characteristics
- motor neurone size: large
- motor unit size: many
- capillary density: high
- Myoglobin content: medium
- Mitochondria density: medium
- Phosphocreatine stores: high

Performance characteristics
- contraction speed: fast
- contraction force: high
- fatigue resistance: medium
- aerobic capacity: medium
- anaerobic capacity: medium

Question 7

Fast glycolytic

Answer 7

Used for power

Physical characteristics
- motor neurone size: large
- motor unit size: many
- capillary density: low
- Myoglobin content: low
- Mitochondria density: low
- Phosphocreatine stores: high

Performance characteristics
- contraction speed: fast
- contraction force: high
- fatigue resistance: low
- aerobic capacity: low
- anaerobic capacity: highest