Hi Cody

A little background first.

Basically our muscles are composed of different fibres which affect the way
we use energy. They are:
Type 1 Red Slow Oxidative Twitch muscle fibres that contract efficiently in
the presence of oxygen during aerobically based activities. These muscle
fibres have the ability to use fat as a fuel source under aerobic exercising
conditions
Type 2b White Fast Glycolitic twitch muscle fibres are used during short
bursts of energy and physical activities that are predominantly anaerobic in
nature, e.g. fast sprints.
Type 2a Intermediate Slow Oxidative Twitch muscle fibres share
characteristics of both other fibre types. They can adapt to use A.T.P. like
the fast twitch fibres, as well as having a high oxidative capacity like the
Slow Twitch fibres. They contract more rapidly than the Slow Twitch fibres
and can maintain the contraction for longer periods of time than the Fast
Twitch muscle fibres. These are often referred to as trainable fibres.
Most muscles contain a mixture of all three types. While you cannot increase
the total amount of muscle fibres, you can increase the proportion of
existing muscle fibres by manipulating training so that the intermediate
muscle fibres adapt, and increase the proportion of either Fast or Slow
Twitch muscle fibres.. Hence the implications for training.

Some researchers are suggesting a more detailed classification as follows
Type I slow twitch fibres, Type IIA fast twitch red fibres, Type IIB fast
twitch white fibres; Type IIC intermediate fibres with both
fast-twitch-fibre and slow-twitch-fibres

So to get back to your original point. Yes in theory distance running can
negatively affect your jumping ability.
As to solutions
1. Take another calliper test - that should give you a reasonable reference
from high school.
2. Look at your diet now - has that student beer and pizza diet has kicked
in since high school :-)
3. Weight management will come from adjusting the balance between energy
intake (food) and energy expenditure (exercising)
4. Protein supplements (protein bars and the like often given by strength
coaches after training) aren't needed.
5. Check the balance of carbohydrates in your diet ( beer, pizza, pasta,
candy bars)
6. As to exercising circuit work will help you to get cut and be more
relevant to high jumping
7. Remember you are what you eat and you are what you do

Denis Doyle

----- Original Message -----
From: "cakbots" <cakbots@...>
To: <highjump@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, December 10, 2004 8:27 AM
Subject: [HJ] Running distance ruins quick twitch???


>
>
> Hey everyone. I got a question.... I weighed 165-170 pounds when I was in
> high school and jumping 6-5. As a junior in college I am almost 190, and
I am
> on a down hill slope in the high jump. When I weighed 182, I had a 5.36%
> body fat, although it was with the caliper test, not the underwater one.
But
> anyway, I'm not sure how much of my weight right now is fat, but the issue
is
> that I need to lose weight to start improving in the High Jump again.
> I thought about running distance as a supplement to my workouts, but I
have
> heard that this can destroy quick twitch muscles. I have also heard that
it can't
> hurt quick twitch muscles, but it just won't help them (obviously).
Anyway, I
> was wondering if someone could clear this up for me, and give me any idea/
> suggestions. Thanks a lot.
>
> C Austin
>
>
>
>