Question

Which of these statements is true about leg muscle fibers from an Olympic sprinter versus an Olympic marathon runner?

a) Sprinters have more slow-twitch fibers.
b) Marathon runners have more fast-twitch fibers.
c) Sprinters and marathon runners have similar muscle fiber composition.
d) Sprinters have more endurance-oriented fibers.

Answer 1

Sprinters and marathon runners have similar muscle fiber composition.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct statement is c) Sprinters and marathon runners have similar muscle fiber composition.

Both sprinters and marathon runners have a mix of slow-twitch and fast-twitch muscle fibers, but the proportion may vary. Slow-twitch fibers are used for endurance activities and can contract for long periods of time, while fast-twitch fibers are used for short bursts of activity and provide more muscle strength. Sprinters may have slightly more fast-twitch fibers compared to marathon runners, but the overall composition is similar.