Characteristics of Slow Twitch Skeletal Muscle (Type I)
- Needed for Endurance
- Smaller than fast twitch muscles
- Take about three times longer to contract after receiving stimulus
- many mitochondria
- contain a large amount of myoglobin, which carry oxygen to muscle fibers (similar to hemoglobin, which helps carry oxygen to blood)
- slow twitch fibers are needed for posture and movement, and in back muscles and muscles of the legs
- because it needs high levels of blood and oxygen these fibers may receive the most benefit from massage