When compared to the leg muscles of an Olympic sprinter, the muscles of an Olympic marathoner would likely show a greater proportion of oxidative slow-twitch fibers.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This is because marathon runners rely more on endurance and sustained activity, which is best facilitated by slow-twitch fibers that have high oxidative capacity and can produce energy aerobically for prolonged periods of time. In contrast, sprinters require explosive bursts of power and speed, which is facilitated by fast-twitch fibers that have lower oxidative capacity but can produce energy anaerobically for short periods of time.

When Compared to the Leg Muscles of an Olympic Sprinter