Three Types of Muscle Fibers in Body Conditioning

(RED) The slow twitch muscle fibers are the slowest and the weakest. They have the best endurance and can contract the longest. As long as you have adrenaline or glucose to stimulate the muscle fibers, they will contract.

(PINK) Medium twitch muscle fibers are not the weakest nor are they the strongest. They will contract faster and stronger than slow twitch, but not as fast or as strong as fast twitch fibers. In a normal individual, these muscle fibers will last for around twenty minutes of contraction before they become exhausted. These muscle fibers bring a balance, and help the other two kinds by providing the extra "push". Kind of like how when swinging on a swing you only need that little push from someone at the right moment to make you go faster(fast twitch), or to continue the swinging motion longer(slow twitch).

(WHITE) Fast twitch muscle fibers are the strongest as well as the quickest. This is the muscle tissue that gives us that fast and powerful burst of strength. Since fast twitch muscles are the strongest amongst the muscle fibers, they require more fuel. Because they use so much energy, they become fatigued faster. Generally speaking, on an "average" untrained person, after about 30 seconds of quick repeated contraction, these fast twitch fibers will begin running out of energy. From a martial aspect, when we condition our bodies, it is good to keep in mind how important these details can be. The better our conditioning, the longer we can continue functioning at optimal levels. Click to learn how Chinese medicine treats Mastitis.