TYPES OF MUSCLE FIBERS Type I Muscle Fibers (Slow Twitch) • Recruited quickly and fire slowly • Produce less power • Need oxygen for energy • Slow to fatigue • Recruited first • Good for endurance • In high quantities among endurance athletes Type II Muscle Fibers (Fast Twitch) • Recruited after type 1 and before 2x • Fire quickly • Anaerobic and produce lactic acid • Fatigue quickly • Needed to lift heavier and move faster. • In high quantities among power athletes Training for Power Target Type IIa Muscle Fibers • Clients who are most interested in developing power, speed, and strength need to train for type II muscle fibers. • Most clients should train for all muscle fibers, but dedicated power lifting, weight training, or sprinting athletes can improve by targeting type II. • Evidence is mixed, but generally, performing more high-intensity, fast exercises with bigger weights will lead to more developed type IIa fibers. • This in turn will lead to greater performance in power and speed sports.