The relationship between anaerobic performance and muscle metabolic capacity and fibre distribution

Abstract

Relationships between functional anaerobic indicators and the character of cellular muscle energy metabolism were studied. Twelve untrained male students were tested by a specific anaerobic test on the treadmill. The mean values of the anaerobic test were as follows: blood lactate 10.69 mmol · 1-1, running speed 16.08 km · h-1 and duration 92.67 s. The average distribution of muscle fibres (m. vastus lateralis) was: type I 52.2%, type II A 29.0% and type II B 18.8%. The mean enzyme activity values were: triosephosphate dehydrogenase (TPDH) 4.67 Μkat · g-1 w.w., lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) 5.76 Μkat · g-1 w.w, citrate synthase (CS) 0.21 Μkat · g-1 w.w. and hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (HAD) 0.12 Μkat · g-1 w.w. Significant negative correlations were found between δLA and CS (r=0.64) and % of fibre type II B and CS (r=0.78) and positive correlations between % of fibre type I and CS and/or HAD (r=0.60 and r=0.62, respectively). © 1985 Springer-Verlag.