National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Group Fitness Instructor Practice Exam

Which adaptation response is characteristic of Type I muscle fibers following endurance training?

1. Increased muscle size

2. Increased number of mitochondria

3. Greater supply of blood flow

4. Enhanced anaerobic capacity

The correct answer is: Increased number of mitochondria

Type I muscle fibers are referred to as slow-twitch fibers and are primarily utilized during endurance activities. Following endurance training, one of the key adaptations seen in Type I muscle fibers is an increased number of mitochondria. Mitochondria are the cellular structures responsible for aerobic energy production, which is crucial for sustaining prolonged exercise. The increase in mitochondrial density allows these fibers to enhance their capacity to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP) through aerobic metabolism. This adaptation supports improved endurance performance as the muscles become more efficient at utilizing oxygen for energy, which is vital during long-duration activities. While other adaptations can occur with endurance training, such as improvements in blood flow due to increased capillarization (which relates to another option), and some increase in muscle endurance, the specific outcome of increasing the number of mitochondria is particularly characteristic of adaptations in Type I fibers due to their role in endurance performance. Enhanced anaerobic capacity, on the other hand, is more associated with Type II muscle fibers, which are geared towards short bursts of power and strength.