What are the characteristics of fast twitch type IIa fibres?

Type IIa fibres are fast and fairly forceful, with moderate resistance to fatigue. Type IIa fibres can produce energy both aerobically and anaerobically.

Which fibre type dominates in an elite marathon runner's legs, and why?

Slow twitch fibres dominate in an elite marathon runner's legs. Slow twitch fibres produce energy aerobically for hours without fatiguing.

Why does a shot putter rely on type IIb fibres?

A shot put needs maximal force in a fraction of a second. Type IIb fibres contract the fastest and most forcefully of all fibre types.

Why are type IIa fibres important to an 800 m runner or a games player?

Type IIa fibres combine speed and power with some resistance to fatigue. Type IIa fibres suit sustained high-intensity work and repeated sprints.

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Health, Fitness and an Active Lifestyle

Topic overview Health, fitness and the UK activity guidelines Physical, psychological and social benefits of exercise Sedentary lifestyles and the risks to health

Short-Term Responses to Exercise

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Joints and the Musculo-Skeletal System

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Joints and the Musculo-Skeletal System

Muscle fibre types, muscle roles and contractions

3 things to know
Components 1 and 2

Overview

Type I, type IIb and type IIa fibres for the marathon runner, shot putter and 800 m runner, the soleus, talent identification, agonist, antagonist, fixator and synergist, and isotonic, concentric, eccentric and isometric contractions.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

How do type IIb and type IIa fibres differ?

Key term

What are the characteristics of slow twitch (type I) fibres?

Key term

What are the characteristics of fast twitch type IIb fibres?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
What are the characteristics of slow twitch (type I) fibres?
Model answer
Slow twitch fibres contract slowly with low force but are highly resistant to fatigue. Slow twitch fibres have many mitochondria, much myoglobin and a dense capillary network.
2
What are the characteristics of fast twitch type IIb fibres?
Model answer
Type IIb fibres contract very quickly and forcefully but fatigue rapidly. Type IIb fibres have large phosphocreatine and glycogen stores and few mitochondria.
3
What are the characteristics of fast twitch type IIa fibres?
Model answer
Type IIa fibres are fast and fairly forceful, with moderate resistance to fatigue. Type IIa fibres can produce energy both aerobically and anaerobically.
4
Which fibre type dominates in an elite marathon runner's legs, and why?
Model answer
Slow twitch fibres dominate in an elite marathon runner's legs. Slow twitch fibres produce energy aerobically for hours without fatiguing.
5
Why does a shot putter rely on type IIb fibres?
Model answer
A shot put needs maximal force in a fraction of a second. Type IIb fibres contract the fastest and most forcefully of all fibre types.
6
Why are type IIa fibres important to an 800 m runner or a games player?
Model answer
Type IIa fibres combine speed and power with some resistance to fatigue. Type IIa fibres suit sustained high-intensity work and repeated sprints.

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Short-Term Responses to Exercise

Long-Term Adaptations to Exercise

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