Exercise Physiology: Theory and Application to Fitness and Performance 9th Edition by Scott Powers, Edward Howley

Exercise 5

Describe the pattern of recruitment of muscle fiber types during aerobic activities of progressively greater intensity.

Step 1 of 2

During aerobic all-out performances, the main source of energy is aerobic metabolism. Initially, in a 3 – minute all-out performance, 60% of ATP (adenosine triphosphate, the energy currency of the cell) is produced from aerobic process. However, if the time increases to 20 min, 90% of ATP is synthesized through aerobic process.

The limiting factors for performance during all-out aerobic exercise are cardiovascular system that delivers blood to the muscles and the mitochondrial content of the muscles involved in the activity.