Submaximal and maximal working capacity of elite distance runners. Part II. Muscle fiber composition and enzyme activities.

ABSTRACT

The present study confirms earlier observations that the musculature of elite distance runners is characterized by a high predominance of ST fibers. Although the percent ST fibers effectively discriminates between good and elite distance runners, fiber composition alone is a poor predictor of distance running success within the group of elite runners. Muscle enzyme measurements suggest that the 11 to 20 miles (17.7 to 32.2 km) of daily training performed by the elite runners produced a significantly greater increase in muscle SDH activity than was observed in the good distance runners, who were running 7 to 11 miles (11.3 to 17.7 km) per day, Although such endurance training enhances the oxidative capacity of the muscle, it apparently has little influence on the enzymes of glycogenolysis.