Types of Muscle Fibers

Definition

Types of muscle fibers refer to the different categories of fibers within skeletal muscles, each with unique characteristics and functions. These include slow-twitch (Type I) fibers, which are fatigue-resistant and suited for endurance activities, and fast-twitch fibers (Type II), which are less resistant to fatigue but capable of generating more power and speed.

Related terms

Skeletal Muscle:

A type of muscle tissue that is attached to bones and helps generate movement by contracting and relaxing.

Myofibrils:

The long filaments inside muscle cells that are responsible for the contraction of muscle fibers.

Motor Units:

Consist of a single motor neuron and all the muscle fibers it innervates, working together to produce force