05/06/2016

MuscleFibreTest

MuscleFibreTest
Testing and measurement are the means of collecting information upon which
subsequentperformanceevaluationsanddecisionsaremadebutintheanalysisweneedtobear
inmindthefactorsthatmayinfluencetheresults.

Objective
Theobjectiveofthemusclefibretestistodeterminethefibrecompositionofthemusclesused
for a particular exercise. Two test protocols are described: The Dr F. Hatfield muscle fibre test
andtheCharlesPoliquinmusclefibretest(Hale2006)[1].

RequiredResources
Toundertakethistestyouwillrequire:
Weighttrainingfacilities
Anassistant/spotter
Selectionofexercises

HowtoconducttheDrF.Hatfieldmusclefibretest
Determineyouronerepetitionmaximum(1RM)onanexercise
Restfor15minutes
Performasmanyrepetitionsaspossiblewith80%ofyour1RM

Analysis
Lessthan7repetitionsfasttwitch(FT)dominant
7or8repetitionsmixedfibretype
morethan8repetitionsslowtwitch(ST)dominant
If you are FT dominant, then you should use heavier loads and lower repetitions predominantly
inyourtraining.STdominantindividuals,ontheotherhand,willrespondbettertolighterloads
andhigherrepetitions

HowtoconducttheCharlesPoliquinmusclefibretest
Determineyouronerepetitionmaximum(1RM)onanexercise
Restfor15minutes
Performasmanyrepetitionsaspossiblewith85%ofyour1RM

Analysis
Lessthan5repetitionsfasttwitch(FT)dominant
5repetitionsmixedfibretype
morethan5repetitionsslowtwitch(ST)dominant
If you are FT dominant, then you should use heavier loads and lower repetitions predominantly
inyourtraining.STdominantindividuals,ontheotherhand,willrespondbettertolighterloads
andhigherrepetitions

TargetGroup
This test is suitable for all athletes but not for individuals where the test would be
contraindicated.
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Reliability
Testreliabilityreferstothedegreetowhichatestisconsistentandstableinmeasuringwhatit
is intended to measure. Reliability will depend upon how strict the test is conducted and the
individual's level of motivation to perform the test. The following link provides a variety
offactorsthatmayinfluencetheresultsandthereforethetestreliability.

Validity
Testvalidityreferstothedegreetowhichthetestactuallymeasureswhatitclaimstomeasure
andtheextenttowhichinferences,conclusions,anddecisionsmadeonthebasisoftestscores
are appropriate and meaningful. This test provides a means to determine the fibre composition
ofthemusclesusedforaparticularexercise.

Advantages
Minimalequipmentrequired
Simpletosetupandconduct

Disadvantages
Specialistequipmentrequired
Assistantrequiredtoadministerthetest

References
1.HALE J. (2006) Adapting your workout to suit your muscle fibre type.Brian Mackenzie's
SuccessfulCoaching,37,p.67

RelatedReferences
Thefollowingreferencesprovideadditionalinformationonthistopic:
ESSEN, B. et al. (1975). Metabolic characteristics of fibre types in human skeletal
muscle.ActaphysiologicaScandinavica,95(2),p.153165

PageReference
Thereferenceforthispageis:
MACKENZIE,B.(2006)MuscleFibreTest[WWW]Availablefrom:
http://www.brianmac.co.uk/musclefibre.htm[Accessed5/6/2016]

RelatedPages
ThefollowingSportsCoachpagesprovideadditionalinformationonthistopic:
ArticlesonPerformanceEvaluation
EvaluationandPerformanceTests

AdditionalSourcesofInformation
Forfurtherinformationonthistopicseethefollowing:
BEASHEL, P. & TAYLOR, J. (1996)Advanced Studies in Physical Education and Sport. UK:
ThomasNelson&SonsLtd.
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MuscleFibreTest

BEASHEL,P.&TAYLOR,J.(1997)TheWorldofSportExamined.UK:ThomasNelson&Sons
Ltd.
BIZLEY,K.(1994)ExaminingPhysicalEducation.OxfordHeinemannEducationalPublishers
DAVIS,B.etal.(2000)PhysicalEducationandtheStudyofSport.UK:HarcourtPublishers
Ltd.
GALLIGAN, F. et al. (2000) Advanced PE for Edexcel. Oxford Heinemann Educational
Publishers
McARDLE, W. et al. (2000) Essentials of Exercise Physiology. 2nd ed. Philadelphia:
LippincottWilliams&Wilkins
CHU,D.(1996)ExplosivePowerandStrength.USAHumanKineticsPublishers,Inc.

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