Final answer:
A person with a high percentage of SO fibers is best suited for endurance sports like marathon running, as these slow-twitch muscle fibers sustain activity over long periods without quick fatigue. Success in endurance events may be due to either a natural prevalence of SO fibers or their development through training, which emphasizes the need for balancing endurance activities with proper recovery to prevent overuse injuries.
Step-by-step explanation:
Individuals with a high percentage of SO fibers, also known as slow-twitch fibers, would be well-suited for endurance sports. These slow-twitch muscle fibers are efficient at using oxygen to generate more fuel (in the form of ATP) for continuous, extended muscle contractions over a long time. Endurance athletes, such as marathon runners, benefit from having a larger proportion of SO fibers as they do not fatigue quickly, which is crucial for sports that require sustained activities.
While it is not entirely clear whether the most successful marathon runners are born with naturally high numbers of SO fibers or if they develop them through repetitive training, it is evident that these fibers are advantageous for long-duration sports due to their ability to function for long periods without fatiguing. This is opposed to FG fibers, which are associated with short, powerful bursts of movement and fatigue much more quickly.
Regular endurance training, however, could lead to specific overuse injuries such as stress fractures, and joint and tendon inflammation. Therefore, while a high proportion of SO fibers is beneficial for endurance activities, athletes should also focus on proper training and recovery to prevent injury.