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Muscle fibres are classified as either fast-twitch or slow-twitch. Fast-twitch fibres are white and slow-twitch fibres are red. There is also a third type of muscle fibre called an intermediate fibre, which is pink. This type of fibre is a hybrid of the two other types and is useful for shorter durations of more intensive exercise. In humans, pink muscle fibres are found in hybrid form in untrained individuals. In fish, pink muscle fibres are found in the dorsal ordinary muscle and can improve the postmortem hardness, texture, and flesh quality of raw fish meat.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | 2a muscle fiber, also known as moderate fast twitch |
| Description | In-between slow (red) and fast (white) twitch muscle fiber |
| Use | Useful for shorter durations of more intensive exercise such as lifting weights or running |
| Conversion | It is possible to convert type 1 muscle fiber to type 2a |
| Occurrence | Found in the dorsal ordinary muscle of fish |
| Function | Could potentially improve the postmortem hardness, texture, and flesh quality of raw fish meat |
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What You'll Learn
Pink muscle fibres are found in fish
Muscle fibres are classified into three types: red, white, and intermediate. Red muscle fibres, also known as slow-twitch fibres, have a high oxygen content and appear reddish due to the presence of the oxygen transporter myoglobin, a red-coloured protein. In contrast, white muscle fibres, or fast-twitch fibres, have lower myoglobin levels and a lower oxygen content, resulting in a brighter appearance.
Fish muscles are unique compared to terrestrial animals as they exhibit a separation of these three main muscle types: white muscle (fast muscle), superficial red muscle (slow muscle), and a pink muscle (intermediate). The colour differentiation in fish muscles depends on two factors: the amount of myoglobin, an oxygen-carrying protein, and the type of food the fish consumes.
Pink muscle fibres, found in fish such as trout, catfish, rock goby, goldfish, mullet, and guppy, exhibit a combination of characteristics from both white and red muscle fibres. They have an intermediate functionality, making them suitable for sustained swimming efforts at moderately high speeds for a few tens of minutes.
However, the pink colour observed in the muscles of certain fish, such as salmon and sea trout, is not derived from myoglobin content. Instead, it is attributed to the presence of astaxanthin, a red carotenoid pigment derived from their diet of crustaceans. Fish are unable to synthesise astaxanthin, hence the degree of pink colour in their muscles depends on their consumption of pigmented food sources.
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They are intermediary muscles
Muscle fibres are classified as either slow twitch (red) or fast twitch (white). However, there is a third, intermediary type of muscle fibre, which combines the advantages of both red and white fibres. These are known as pink muscle fibres.
Pink muscle fibres, or Type 2a, are moderate fast-twitch fibres. They are useful for shorter durations of more intensive exercise such as lifting weights or running. They are less energy-efficient than Type 1 fibres but more fatigue-resistant than Type 2x.
The idea of converting all muscle fibres to Type 2a, as seen in the anime Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple, is entirely fictional. However, it is possible to convert Type 1 muscle fibres to Type 2a. Muscle fibres in untrained individuals are often made up of hybrid types, containing two types of muscle fibres. Training increases specificity by creating more pure fibre types.
The amount of each fibre type varies from one muscle group to another. For example, the biceps consist of a lot of fast-twitch fibres, while the abs and calves consist of a lot of Type 1 fibres. This is because the abs are slightly contracted all day to keep us upright, which requires slow-twitch fibres.
In addition to their presence in humans, pink muscle fibres have been found in the dorsal ordinary muscle of several fish species. Research has shown that the presence of pink muscle fibres positively correlates with the breaking strength of fish meat, potentially improving the post-mortem hardness, texture, and flesh quality.
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They are a type 2a muscle fibre
While pink muscle fibres are not a scientifically recognised muscle fibre type in humans, they have been referenced in the anime series Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple. In the show, Akisame, one of Kenichi's masters, claims to have converted all the muscle in his body into "pink muscle". This pink muscle is described as Type 2a muscle fibre, an intermediary muscle type that is useful for shorter durations of more intensive exercise, such as lifting weights or running.
In reality, there are three recognised types of muscle twitch fibre: slow-twitch (Type 1), fast-twitch (Type 2), and intermediate (Type 2a). Slow-twitch fibres, also known as red fibres, have a high oxygen content due to the presence of the oxygen transporter myoglobin, giving them their reddish appearance. These fibres obtain their energy from glycogen and fat through aerobic energy generation, which is a lengthy process, making them less suited for rapid powerful movements. However, they have a high tolerance to fatigue and are constantly in use, allowing us to perform basic movements like sitting, standing, or walking.
On the other hand, fast-twitch fibres, also known as white muscle fibres, have lower myoglobin levels and oxygen content, resulting in a brighter appearance. These fibres gain energy anaerobically, without oxygen, primarily from the sugar glycogen, which provides energy quickly and enables faster and stronger contractions. While white muscle fibres are the first to fatigue, they are thicker and have a greater potential for growth.
Type 2a muscle fibres, or intermediate fibres, fall between the two extremes of Type 1 and Type 2 fibres. They are less energy-efficient than Type 1 fibres but more fatigue-resistant than Type 2x fibres. While it is possible to convert Type 1 muscle fibres to Type 2a, achieving 100% Type 2a muscle fibre composition, as depicted in the anime, is purely fictional. This is because our bodies require a significant amount of slow-twitch muscle fibre for everyday functions and endurance.
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They are fast-twitch fibres
Muscle fibres are classified as either slow-twitch or fast-twitch. Slow-twitch muscle fibres, also known as red fibres, have a high oxygen content due to the presence of the oxygen transporter myoglobin, which gives them their reddish colour. On the other hand, fast-twitch fibres are characterised by lower myoglobin levels and, consequently, lower oxygen content, resulting in a brighter, whiter appearance.
Fast-twitch muscle fibres, also known as white muscle fibres, are capable of contracting faster and stronger than their slow-twitch counterparts. This is because they derive their energy anaerobically, primarily from the sugar glycogen, which provides a rapid and immediate source of energy. However, this rapid energy expenditure comes at a cost, as white muscle fibres are also the first to fatigue.
In the context of athletics, the type of muscle fibre plays a significant role in an athlete's physique and performance. For example, sprinters tend to be more muscular, while long-distance runners often have a leaner build. This difference in appearance is attributed to the specific muscles strengthened and the intensity and duration of the athletic activity, rather than the movement itself.
While pink muscle fibres have been referenced in relation to human muscle types, this is primarily in the context of fiction. In reality, pink muscle fibres are commonly associated with fish, where they have been found to influence the postmortem hardness, texture, and flesh quality of raw fish meat.
It is important to note that the distinction between muscle fibre types is not always clear-cut, and there can be variations and subtypes depending on factors such as energy supply, colour, power potential, and contraction speed. Additionally, the internal composition of a muscle can vary based on how often it is used and the type of stress it undergoes.
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They improve the texture and quality of raw fish meat
Pink muscle fibres, also known as intermediate muscle fibres, are a type of twitch muscle fibre. They are found in the dorsal ordinary muscle of several fish species.
Pink muscle fibres have been shown to affect the tenderisation of ordinary muscle during ice storage. However, it was previously unknown whether these fibres affected the hardness of raw fish meat.
A study by Wang in 2021 analysed the breaking strengths and fibre types of the dorsal ordinary muscle of eight fish species. The study found that the quantity ratio and area ratio of pink muscle fibres in the dorsal ordinary muscles of all eight fish species positively correlated with the breaking strength.
The study concluded that a high interposition ratio of pink muscle fibres in ordinary muscle could potentially improve the postmortem hardness, texture, and flesh quality of raw fish meat. Therefore, the presence of pink muscle fibres can enhance the texture and quality of raw fish meat by increasing its breaking strength.
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Frequently asked questions
Pink muscle fibers are intermediary muscles that are a mix of slow (red) and fast (white) twitch muscle fibers.
No, pink muscle fibers are found in fish.
A high interposition ratio of pink muscle fibers in ordinary muscle could potentially improve the postmortem hardness, texture, and flesh quality of raw fish meat.
No, it is not possible to convert all muscle fibers to pink muscle fibers.
