Muscle Fibres
Rhea Henwood
Slow Twitch
Slow twitch muscle fibres use oxygen to generate more energy. They are used for continuous, extended muscle contractions over a long period of time. They release energy more slowly than fast twitch fibres and they can last a long time before they fatigue. Slow twitch fibres are mainly effective in long distance sports such as marathons and cycling.
Fast Twitch
Fast twitch fibres use anaerobic metabolism to create energy. They generate short bursts of speed and strength compared to slow muscle fibres. Because of these short bursts of maximum speed and strength, they fatigue more quickly. They contract the same amount of force as slow muscle fibres but they are able to do it more quickly. Fast twitch fibres are helpful and an asset to athletes such as sprinters and throwers.
Fast twitch fibres can then be separated into another two categories, Type IIa and Type IIb
Type IIa Fibers
These fast twitch muscle fibres are also known as intermediate fast-twitch fibres. They can use both aerobic and anaerobic metabolism almost equally to create energy. In this way, they are a combination of fast twitch and slow twitch muscle fibres.
These fast twitch muscle fibres are also known as intermediate fast-twitch fibres. They can use both aerobic and anaerobic metabolism almost equally to create energy. In this way, they are a combination of fast twitch and slow twitch muscle fibres.
Type IIB
These fast twitch fibres use anaerobic metabolism to create energy and are the "classic" fast twitch muscle fibers that excel at producing quick, powerful bursts of speed. This muscle fibre has the highest rate of contraction (rapid firing) of all the muscle fibre types, but it also has a much faster rate of fatigue and can't last as long before it needs rest.
Games Player
A games player will need a mixture of all muscle types to excel in their sport. In a game of football a player will need slow twitch fibres which will release energy slowly allowing them to last the full 90 minutes in the match. Having these fibres will allow them to not fatigue and stay skillful during the game. Having fast twitch fibres are useful to a football player as these will allow them to sprint fast and contract quick movements during the game. When a striker is sprinting towards the goal these muscle fibres will allow them to do this for a short amount of time.
