Types of muscle and muscle fibre
I can identify different types of muscle and different types of muscle fibre and explain their function
Types of muscle and muscle fibre
I can identify different types of muscle and different types of muscle fibre and explain their function
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- All skeletal muscles are voluntary muscles, they are under our conscious control (e.g. biceps).
- Involuntary muscles work without our conscious control and include the walls of our digestive system and blood vessels.
- Cardiac muscle is a specialist type of involuntary muscle that makes up the thickest layer of the heart.
- Fast twitch muscle fibres with a high speed and force of contraction are used for short, intense exercises.
- Slow twitch muscle fibres that are resistant to fatigue are used for long distance events.
Keywords
Voluntary - when something is under our conscious control
Involuntary - when something is not under our conscious control
Cardiac muscle - involuntary muscle found in the heart
Slow twitch - a type I muscle fibre type with slow speed and low force of contraction
Fast twitch - a type II muscle fibre with a fast speed and high force of contraction
Common misconception
Pupils may get confused with the different names of fast/ slow and type I/ type II muscle fibres.
The word slow has an O in it and these fibres use oxygen to contract slowly and aerobically. They are our body's first choice of muscle fibre due to fatigue resistance, hence type I.
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
when something is under our conscious control
when something is not under our conscious control
involuntary muscle found in the heart
work at low intensity over a long period of time
work at quick, high intensity for short periods of time
Exit quiz
6 Questions
when something is under our conscious control
when something is not under our conscious control
involuntary muscle found in the heart
a type I muscle fibre with slow speed and low force of contraction
a type II muscle fibre with a fast speed and high force contraction
type I
type IIa
type IIx