Adaptation of skeletal muscles to training

Abstract

Based on the myosin ATPase reaction, human skeletal muscles are composed of two main fibre types, named slow (ST) and fast (FT) twitch fibres, respectively. With few exceptions, ST and FT fibres are evenly represented in the muscles, however with a large interindividual variation. Endurance athletes tend to have a predominance of ST fibres while sprinters have a predominance of FT fibres. The ST fibres are surrounded by 3-4 capillaries, and they have the largest potential for terminal oxidation and the smallest for glycolysis. Of the FT fibres, two subtypes may be distinguished (a and b), of which no FTb fibres are seen in the endurance trained muscles of athletes. Training also results in an increase in the number of capillaries for all fibre types. FTa fibres have a metabolic potential which is intermediate to that of the ST and FTb fibres. With endurance training, the potential for terminal oxidation increases, resulting in a larger ability to use fat as a fuel during submaximal exercise and in a reduced production of lactate. Thus, training has a glycogen sparing effect and endurance increases. Human intercostal muscles appear to have approximately 60% ST fibres. In the external intercostal muscles, the number of capillaries and the occurrence of FTb fibres is similar to the findings in untrained muscles. In contrast, the internal intercostal muscles placed in the mid-axillary line have no FTb fibres and relatively many capillaries. Thus, these (expiratory) muscles appear to be extensively used.