The Relevance of Muscle Fiber Type to Physical Characteristics and Performance in Team-Sport Athletes

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Hopwood, Henry J
Bellinger, Phillip M
Compton, Heidi R
Bourne, Matthew N
Minahan, Clare
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2023
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Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this systematic review was to (1) determine the muscle fiber-type composition (or muscle fiber typology [MFT]) of team-sport athletes and (2) examine associations between MFT and the physical characteristics and performance tasks in team-sport athletes. Methods: Searches were conducted across numerous databases—PubMed, SPORTDiscus, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar—using consistent search terms. Studies were included if they examined the MFT of team-sport athletes. Included studies underwent critical appraisal using the McMasters University critical appraisal tool for quantitative research. Results: A total of 10 studies were included in the present review, wherein the MFT of athletes was measured from 5 different team sports (soccer, rugby union, rugby league, handball, and volleyball). There was large variability in the MFT of team-sport athletes both within (up to 27.5%) and between sports (24.0% relative difference). Male football players with a higher proportion of type II fibers had faster 10- and 30-m sprint times, achieved a greater total distance sprinting (distance at >6.67 m·s−1), and a greater peak 1-minute sprint distance. Conclusions: MFT varies considerably between athletes both within and between different team sports. The results from some studies suggest that variation in MFT is associated with high-intensity running performance in a football match, as well as 10- and 30-m sprint times. Further experimental studies should focus on how determination of the MFT of team-sport athletes could be utilized to influence talent identification, team selection, and the individualization of training.

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International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance

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18

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3

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Clinical sciences

Medical physiology

Sports science and exercise

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Life Sciences & Biomedicine

Physiology

Sport Sciences

muscle fiber-type composition

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Hopwood, HJ; Bellinger, PM; Compton, HR; Bourne, MN; Minahan, C, The Relevance of Muscle Fiber Type to Physical Characteristics and Performance in Team-Sport Athletes, International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 2023, 18 (3), pp. 223-230

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