The muscles that are used for a long distance run require plenty of oxygen and the muscles have to make that oxygen last over a long time. For a 100 yard sprint it is a different story your muscles need a quick burst of energy that only lasts a few moments. The oxygen is spent quickly. The difference between the two types of muscles is referred to as fast twitch and slow twitch.
Oxygen and how it is used plays a big part in the way fast and slow twitch muscles work. Like aerobic exercises that need the oxygen to last for a longer duration, the slow twitch muscles also need more oxygen. Distance runners or long distance bicyclists need to develop slow twitch muscles in order to complete their races before fatigue sets in.
Fast twitch muscles are the exact opposite of slow twitch the muscles need a quick burst of energy to complete their task. A sprinter is a prime example of someone who needs a quick burst of energy that fast twitch muscles provide.
The muscle fibers that make up the muscles can be trained to contract in a way that would burn oxygen in a way that would be suitable for aerobic (slow twitch) or anaerobic (fast twitch).
Arthritis is a serious disorder with 46 million Americans suffering from it and that number will surely increase as the population gets older. There are many ways to relieve and prevent the discomfort of arthritis and one of the lesser known is strength training.
Arthritis is where there is inflammation of the joints in the body. There are over a hundred types of arthritis. In the past it was believed that arthritic joints benefited more by being at rest then moving. Today most agree that movement is better to keep the joints active and more flexible.
How does Strength training help?
Strength training helps build muscles which supports and protects the joints that are usually affected by arthritis. Strength training also helps with weight control which is vital when dealing with arthritis, this makes for less pressure on the body’s joints. Many studies have concluded that strength or resistance training is beneficial to lessening the effects of arthritis.
Tufts university study on strength training found that people who engage in this type of exercise reduce the pain that they receive from arthritis. The study concluded that the pain from severe knee osteoarthritis was decreased by 43 % and the general disability of the disorder was also improved.
Why strength training and not aerobics?
Aerobics are indeed important in a well rounded exercise regime, but specifically for arthritis strength training is better because of the impact upon the body’s muscles.
