Photo AI
Figure 3 shows steeplechase athletes running a race - Edexcel - GCSE Physical Education - Question 4 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 4
Figure 3 shows steeplechase athletes running a race. The race involves running 3000m and jumping hurdles. Examine how two different muscle fibre types are used by ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Figure 3 shows steeplechase athletes running a race - Edexcel - GCSE Physical Education - Question 4 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
Slow twitch
Answer
The steeplechase athletes predominantly use slow twitch/type I muscle fibres when running the 3000m portion of the race. These fibres are characterized by their high aerobic capacity, which allows athletes to maintain endurance over long distances. This type of muscle fibre is resistant to fatigue, enabling the athletes to sustain their performance without experiencing significant fatigue.
Step 2
Fast twitch
Answer
During the jumping hurdles segment, the athletes primarily engage fast twitch/type II muscles. These fibres enable the athletes to exert force quickly and powerfully, which is crucial for clearing the hurdles efficiently. Fast twitch fibres provide the necessary explosive strength to jump and land without losing momentum, facilitating a quick execution of the hurdle jump.