Fast Twitch/Slow Twitch Fibres

MMM

Hey all,
Thanks for all the invaluable information posted here. I've been following the principles for about a year now and have made nice gains in size and fat loss (plenty more to do in the coming off season) that have helped me be more successful throughout the rugby season.
I was wondering if anyone has any information on fast twitch v slow twitch muscle fibres. Particularily whether or not they can be affected by the manner in which you lift weights. For instance if you bench with a faster push on the upstroke (while leaving the downward motion slow and controlled) are you encouraging the growth of more fast twitch fibres. Or does it have any affect at all
Cheers

Cravez

I can't write a full post about this as im just about to head to work, however i did find this for you if you want to have a read:

http://sportsmedicine.about.com/cs/exercisephysiology/a/aa080901a.htm#

Generally The heavier, quick & more explosive the movement the more you encourage fast twitch muscle fibers (e.g Heavy lifting & low reps, particularly Olympic Lifters & Sprinters) and the more prolonged use of muscle activity through particularly endurance sports such as Marathon running will encourage slow twitch muscle fibers. Also using Light-Medium weights for more repititions(10-15+ reps) would also fall under Slow Twitch Fibers as your are continually stressing the muscle until effectively its more muscular endurance rather than hypertrophy or strength. Hope any of that helps, im pretty sure someone else here can give a better explaination that myself, off to work now!

Leon11

I haven't got the scientific knowledge to further elaborate on my points but for rugby you are best to go for 3-8 reps with rapid controlled movement. Rugby is an explosive sport and thus your weight training should mirror it.

MMM

Cheers folks, i was thinking along the same lines and just looking for a bit of scientific back-up, that sportsmediciine article is a good start