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

• Published in: International journal of sports physiology and performance Vol. 18; no. 3; p. 223
• Main Authors: Hopwood, Henry J, Bellinger, Phillip M, Compton, Heidi R, Bourne, Matthew N, Minahan, Clare
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.03.2023
• Subjects: Athletes; Athletic Performance - physiology; Australia; Humans; Male; Muscle Fibers, Fast-Twitch; Muscle Fibers, Skeletal; Muscle Fibers, Slow-Twitch; Rugby; Soccer; Team Sports; Volleyball; Australia; type I fibers; type II fibers; slow twitch; fast twitch; muscle fiber-type composition
• ISSN: 1555-0273
• DOI: 10.1123/ijspp.2022-0235

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. 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. 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. 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.