Fast twitch muscle fibers... ?

Question

I was a runner in high school and excelled at sprinting. Although I ran distance in the off season to stay in shape, I never excelled at distance running and always felt a deep struggle when doing it.

I'm now feeling that same thing as I get back into running. It's a struggle and I fatigue quite quickly. I used to think it was a mental thing, but am realizing that after maturing these past ten years, it could just be that I was built with more fast twitch muscle fibers.

Do you think there is any relevance behind fast and slow twitch muscle fibers and how they work in each of us (e.g. -- could that be why I've always felt very fatigued when running distance, but I feel like an all-star when I have to go fast)?

Answer 1

Research shows that the percentage of fast to slow twitch muscle fiber is what makes some sprinters and some distance runners.

It is also why hard work is not enough to become a great runner.

It is obvious that some people are faster than others, and some can run long distance, while others can not no matter how hard they train.

Since you are fast at sprints but can not develop distance ability it is probably because of your muscle fiber percentages.

Answer 2

Yes that is the reason, You are born with the fibres you have when your older, there is no changing FT to ST.