Muscle Fibers

Also known as:  Muscle Cells;  Muscle Fibres;  Myocytes;  Myofibers

Muscle Fibers are microscopic, elongated, cylindrical Cells that lie parallel to one another in Skeletal Muscle.  Each Muscle contains between 150,000 - 400,000 Muscle Fibers depending on the type of Muscle.  (Males generally have more Muscle Fibers in any given Muscle than females).

Muscle Fibers are composed of Myofibrils (which in turn are composed of Actomyosin (Myofilaments)).  Most Skeletal Muscles contain approximately 50% Type I Muscle Fibers and 50% Type II Muscle Fibers.

Alkaloids

 Caffeine may stimulate the release of Calcium in Muscle Fibers (this leads to improved Muscle contraction).  ^[1]

Amino Acids

 Creatine may improve the condition of Muscle Fibers.  ^[2]

Hormones

 Human Growth Hormone (hGH) may stimulate the uptake of Amino Acids by Muscle Fibers.