Characteristics of skeletal muscle fiber types Fiber Type Type I fibers Type II a fibers Moderately Fast Medium Fairly

high Long-term anaerobic <30 minutes Medium High Intermediate High High Type II x fibers Fast Large Intermediate Short-term anaerobic <5 minutes High Medium Low Intermediate High Creatine phosphate, glycogen MYH1 Type II b fibers Very fast Very large Low Short-term anaerobic <1 minute Very high Low Low Low High Creatine phosphate, glycogen MYH4

Contraction time Slow Size of motor neuron Resistance to fatigue Small High

Activity Used for Aerobic Maximum duration of use Hours

Force production Low Mitochondrial density High

Capillary density High Oxidative capacity Glycolytic capacity Major storage fuel Myosin heavy chain, human genes High Low

Creatine Triglycerides phosphate, glycogen MYH7 MYH2