(b) Describe the effects of regular anaerobic training on an athlete’s performance. Provide an example to support your answer.

Anaerobic training refers to high-intensity, short-duration exercises that improve strength, speed, and power. This type of training primarily uses the body's energy stores, rather than oxygen, to fuel the muscles.

1. Increased Muscle Strength and Mass: Anaerobic training, such as weight lifting, can lead to increased muscle strength and mass. This is because the training stimulates the growth of muscle fibers, leading to muscle hypertrophy.

2. Improved Performance in Short, High-Intensity Activities: Since anaerobic training involves high-intensity, short-duration exercises, it can significantly improve an athlete's performance in similar activities. For example, sprinters and weightlifters can benefit greatly from anaerobic training.

3. Enhanced Lactate Threshold: Regular anaerobic training can increase an athlete's lactate threshold, which is the point at which lactic acid starts to accumulate in the muscles during intense exercise. A higher lactic threshold allows athletes to maintain high-intensity exercise for longer periods before fatigue sets in.

4. Improved Bone Density and Joint Function: Anaerobic exercises like weightlifting can also improve bone density and joint function, reducing the risk of injuries.

An example to support this can be seen in the training regimen of sprinters. Sprinters often engage in high-intensity interval training (HIIT), a form of anaerobic exercise, to improve their speed and power. This type of training involves short bursts of maximum-effort sprints, followed by periods of rest or low-intensity exercise. Over time, this training can lead to improvements in their sprinting speed and overall performance.