Final answer:
Muscle fiber recruitment during canter/slow gallop involves the use of slow-twitch fibers that resist fatigue due to their reliance on aerobic metabolism.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a muscle contracts, it recruits motor units to generate force. In the canter/slow gallop, slow-twitch muscle fibers are predominantly used. These fibers use aerobic metabolism and are resistant to fatigue, allowing for sustained contractions during endurance activities.
The speed of contraction is influenced by the rate of ATP hydrolysis. Slow fibers hydrolyze ATP more slowly compared to fast fibers, resulting in slower muscle contractions.
The primary metabolic pathway used by a muscle fiber affects its fatigue resistance. Slow fibers primarily use aerobic pathways to produce ATP, while glycolytic fibers rely on anaerobic glycolysis. slow-twitch muscle fibers are more resistant to fatigue due to their reliance on aerobic metabolism.