Final answer:
Fast glycolytic muscle fibers are responsible for high-intensity, short-duration movements in sports, such as sprints or jumps. They hydrolyze ATP rapidly through anaerobic glycolysis, enabling quick, forceful actions but fatigue quickly due to their limited aerobic capacity.
Step-by-step explanation:
In team sports, fast glycolytic (FG) muscle fibers are stimulated to contract during activities that require rapid, high-intensity movements but can only be sustained for short periods due to quick fatigue. For example, during a soccer game, an athlete making a sudden sprint to reach the ball, or a basketball player jumping for a slam dunk are situations where FG fibers are essential. The intense, powerful nature of these actions relies on the ability of FG fibers to hydrolyze ATP rapidly, producing the necessary energy without the need for oxygen (anaerobic glycolysis).
FG fibers are characterized by their large diameter and high glycogen content, allowing them to generate ATP quickly and produce high levels of tension needed for quick, powerful movements. However, they lack substantial numbers of mitochondria and significant amounts of myoglobin, limiting their endurance and making them prone to fatigue.