IFPA Trainer Practice Exam

What type of muscle fiber is typically associated with short bursts of strength and power?

1. Type I

2. Type IIA

3. Type IIB

4. Type C

The correct answer is: Type IIB

Type IIB muscle fibers are designed for short durations of high-intensity activities, making them ideal for explosive movements that require significant strength and power, such as sprinting or heavy lifting. These fibers have a high capacity for generating force and are characteristically fast-twitch, which allows them to contract quickly and produce powerful bursts of energy. This type of muscle fiber relies primarily on anaerobic metabolism, using glucose as the main energy source, which is perfect for activities that last only a few seconds to around a minute. Thus, athletes who engage in sports that demand quick strength and power, like track and field sprinters or weightlifters, will predominantly recruit Type IIB fibers during their performance. In contrast, Type I fibers are more endurance-oriented, focusing on sustained activity over longer periods, while Type IIA fibers possess a mixed characteristic, capable of both aerobic and anaerobic energy production but still do not match the explosive power inherent in Type IIB fibers. Type C fibers, on the other hand, are less well-defined and typically refer to muscle satellite cells involved in muscle repair and growth rather than direct muscle contraction during activity.