Question

Long-distance, competitive runners are usually small and wiry and run more slowly than sprinters, who run much shorter distances and generally have a large bulk of muscles. Which of the following best explains the differences between the two types of runners?

Accepted Answer

Sprinters do not run for long enough for sufficient lactic acid to build up in their muscles therefore they can have large muscles for more power. By being lighter and running more slowly long distance runners ensure that their muscles receive enough oxygen for aerobic respiration.

Answer

Long distance runners run more slowly because lactic acid quickly builds up in muscles and causes fatigue. Sprinters increase the oxygen supply to each muscle, enough for lactic acid to build up in their muscles.

Answer

The large muscles of sprinters increase the oxygen supply to each muscle, preventing lactic acid from forming.

Answer

Sprinters run faster because their large muscles have more blood running through them to stop anaerobic respiration from taking place. Long distance runners run more slowly because they are using the energy from anaerobic respiration, which does not produce as much ATP as aerobic respiration.

	Column I		Column II
A.	Fast muscle fibres	(i)	Myoglobin
B.	Slow muscle fibres	(ii)	Lactic acid
C.	Actin filament	(iii)	Contractile unit
D.	Sarcomere	(iv)	I-band

Long-distance, competitive runners are usually small and wiry and run more slowly than sprinters, who run much shorter distances and generally have a large bulk of muscles. Which of the following best explains the differences between the two types of runners?

Important Questions on Locomotion and Movement

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