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Every fish in the sea has two types of muscle, white muscle and red muscle. The white muscle allows the fish to produce short bursts of speed. A prime example of this would be when the Great White goes in for the kill at speeds of up to 40kmph. The red muscle is for stamina when the fish is just cruising around. The diagram below clearly shows these two muscle groups.
Looking at the red and white muscle groups of the Great White Shark
The Great White's muscles in adults can grow to approximately seven meters in length running from head to tail. This is the driving force of these powerful fish. Imagine two pistons in a motor as they push and pull. The principal here is the same, as these muscles sway the tail section of the shark. When one muscle is pushing the other muscle is pulling, enabling momentum. The fore section remains straight reducing drag.
This photo taken by Paul Morris shows the two main muscles that run the full length of the shark providing stamina and power for short bursts. The spine is cartilage with two main blood vessels either side.
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