Differences in metabolic potential of skeletal muscle fibres and their significance for metabolic control

Abstract

The role of an increase in oxidative potential of skeletal muscle in the enhanced work capacity and greater use of fat as a fuel after endurance training is discussed. Evidence is presented to illustrate that this adaptive response is probably expressed at the cellular level by a more rapid translocation into the mitochondria of the ADP generated during contractile activity. The consequence of this is a tighter control over the glycolytic process thereby creating more favourable conditions for the entry of acetyl units derived from beta-oxidation of fatty acids into the citric acid cycle.