Slow-twitch muscles contract to gradually release energy in steady-state exercises such as swimming and jogging. Fast-twitch muscles can be found in your large muscle groups such as your chest, upper back and legs, and are used to perform...
Muscles are made up of two different types of muscle fibers, slow-twitch and fast-twitch. Fast-twist fibers are responsible for speed and power and handle short bursts of energy, such as sprinting or the explosive lifts in competitive weight...
Weight lifters use a variety of muscles in their body, from the shoulders to the feet. The muscular system is made up of two types of muscle fiber, and knowing how each plays into weight lifting can help you create workout routines that benefit...
Your muscular system is made up of a variety of muscles, fibers, tissues and tendons that aid in movement and help to support the function of your skeletal system. Each portion of your muscular system plays an important role in your ability to...
The muscle below the calf is called the soleus. This muscle is used to hold posture and is a slow-twitch muscle. This muscle can only be targeted with one exercise and responds best to volume training.
Muscular fitness is commonly defined as a combination of muscular strength and muscular endurance. Muscular strength refers to your ability to exert maximal force during a limited number of repetitions, while muscular endurance refers to your...
During exercise, you use different types of muscle fibers. Fast twitch and slow twitch are the main fibers used during activity. Some people have more of one type of fiber than the other. You have the ability to increase the different muscle...
Not all muscle is the same. Within your muscles are smaller materials called muscle fibers. These fibers are the source of your muscular strength, and they play a large role in not only your performance, but your physical limits. These fibers can...
High-repetition workouts provide benefits for older individuals, athletes and those that are new to fitness and exercise. These workouts may require performing 20 to 25 repetitions per set of resistance exercise movements. You may perform high-rep...
Golf requires a combination of fast- and slow-twitch muscle fibers and muscle strength, speed and endurance to be played efficiently. While golf also requires mental strength and athletic skill, one area you can improve at home is your muscular...
Your muscles contain three kinds of fibers known as white fast-twitch, red fast-twitch and red slow-twitch muscle fibers. Each muscle group in your body contains all three types of twitch fibers in varying degrees that are determined by your...
Your hamstring muscle is actually made up of three individual muscles: biceps femoris, semimembranosus and semitendinosus. These muscles are named according to their location, number of divisions and attachments. Your hamstrings cross two joints,...
The sport most often associated with a muscular physique is bodybuilding. However, a lean muscular physique also works well for many other sports. Muscles provide strength, protect joints and help you maintain endurance. Sports-targeted exercises...
Endurance athletes such as marathoners, triathletes and cyclists are known for having significant amounts of cardiovascular and muscular endurance and small amounts of muscle mass and body fat. However, the training for endurance athletes promotes...
Flat or round, long or short, resistance bands are available in a wide variety of styles, colors, textures and strengths. With these options available, you are sure to find one that will fit into your workout program. If you are using resistance...
Push-ups and bench presses are two exercises that mimic the action of the punch, although the way you use the muscles in each will determine how well they improve your punching performance. The action of a punch requires power and speed. Although...
Muscular fitness is commonly defined as having two components -- strength and endurance. While muscular strength refers to the greatest amount of force exerted in a single effort, muscular endurance refers to the ability to repeat movements for an...
"Aerobics" is the term coined by Dr. Kenneth Cooper in 1968 to describe sustained low to moderate cardiovascular exercise. Aerobic activities include jogging, cycling, rowing, swimming and group exercise classes such as step. Aerobic exercise...
Quick feet are helpful at any position in football. Most especially in the speed positions -- quarterback, wide receiver, running back and defensive secondary -- quick feet help you to execute the play and try for extra yardage on offense or a...
You can improve your vertical jump through training, although the amount of improvement depends, to a large degree, on your body type. Although it's impossible to get a true measurement of your body's fast-twitch muscle and slow-twitch muscle...
Muscular endurance is the ability of a muscle to exert a sub-maximal force repeatedly over an extended period of time. In order to train for muscular endurance athletes use light weights and complete a high number of repetitions. These weights can...
Endurance sports build long, lean muscles by stimulating slow-twitch muscle fiber growth. As noted in "Human Biology," by Daniel D. Chiras, endurance athletes tend to have higher proportions of slow-twitch muscle fiber, which gives them...
Depending on the level of competition you want to enter, running track requires different qualities and skills. At the most basic level -- say that of a middle school athlete -- you simply have to have the desire to compete and the willingness to...
Resistance training can have many purposes, such as building strength, developing power and building muscle mass. Additionally, resistance training can be performed in a manner to increase muscular endurance. Muscular endurance means that your...
The sport of running demands different physical traits to excel in the various events, ranging from the sprints to middle distance and endurance events. With the specific demands of each event, runners typically specialize in one category...
If you want bigger biceps, devise an exercise routine that works your upper arms at least three times a week, taking a day or two off between biceps workouts in order to allow fibers and muscles to rest and heal. Very small tears caused by the...
As you watch a track meet or running event, you'll notice two distinct body types between the sprinters and marathoners. A sprinter body is built for speed and power while the marathoner is built for long, slow endurance. But there are more...
Your skeletal muscles help control the position and movement of your skeleton. Healthy skeletal muscle allows for proper movement and supports breathing and posture. Each skeletal muscle contains a number of muscle fibers, each of which connects...
Jumpsoles are training implements that attach to the bottom of your own athletic shoes. The Jumpsoles cause you to remain on the balls of your feet, which increases the amount of work your calf muscle groups must handle to stay upright. They're...
Touch and go squats are a great overall leg workout and can be done at home or the gym. Learn how to do touch and go squats from a certified personal fitness trainer in this exercise video.
