Posted by J.T. HALL on 11/14/2003, 2:55 pm
Message modified by board administrator 11/14/2003, 3:45 pm

REVIEW OF STRENGTH PART I By J.T. Hall, AA, BS, CPT www.nasa-sports.com nasakentuckystatechairman@yahoo.com This is part 1 of a review of definitions for 21 common different types of strength. Part 2 will deal with how to improve these different strengths with certain exercises and loads. Also, in part 2, I~{!/~}ll look at which type of strength relates to which types of sports or competitions. A lot of people don~{!/~}t realize that not all strength is the same. I believe that knowledge is power. The more knowledge you gain or learn about the different types of strength, the better it will help you achieve your goals in everyday life situations. A few examples were strength is essential is power lifting competition, strongman competition, football, boxing and martial arts. I hope this article provides an insight for people to understand what true strength is. POWER = SPEED STRENGTH ENDURANCE 1. Strength: The ability of a muscle to exert force. 2. Muscular strength: a. The maximum force that a muscle can produce against resistance in a single, maximal effort. b. The ability of a given muscle group to generate torque at a particular joint. 3. Relative Strength: a. Strength per kilogram of body weight. b. Absolute strength/Body weight 4. Absolute Strength: a. Muscular strength not related to body weight b. Muscular strength achieved through training along> ~{!0~}Au Natural~{!1~}. 5. Limit strength: How much musculoskeletal force you can generate for one all-out effort. 6. Eccentric Strength: How much weight you can lower without loosing control. 7. Static Strength: How much weight you can hold stationary without losing control. 8. Concentric Strength: How much weight you can lift time with an all-out contraction. 9. Speed-strength: a. Power: F x D/T b. Ability to quickly execute an unloaded movement of a movement against a relatively small external resistance. 10. Starting strength: a. Ability to turn on as many muscle fibers as possible instantaneously. b. Ability of the muscle to develop force at the beginning of the working contraction before external movement occurs. 11. Explosive strength: a. The ability to produce maximal force in a minimal time. b. Once your muscle fibers are turned on, your ability to leave them turned for a measurable period. 12. Maximum strength: Measure of the maximal voluntary isometric muscular force which can be produce without a time limit or a limit to the amount of weight lifted. 13.Acceleration Strength: a. Ability over time to quickly achieve maximal external force while developing muscle tension isometrically or at the beginning of a dynamic contraction. b. Ability to build up working force as rapidly as possible once the contraction has begun. 14. Strength-endurance: Ability to effectively maintain muscular functioning under work conditions of long duration. 15. Static strength-endurance: Ability to hold a given position or posture. 16. Dynamic strength-endurance: Ability to maintain cyclic work of various intensities. 17. Explosive strength-endurance: Ability to repetitively executing explosive effort. 18. General stength-endurance: Associated with activities involving many Muscle groups. 19. Local Strength-endurance: Associated with activities excuted by individual muscle groups. 20. Special Stength: Specific muscular strength for an activity. 21. General Strength (Specific Strength): Limit strength in all of your muscular groups and body movements. REFERENCE 1. American Council on Exercise Trainer Manual 1991. 2. Dr. Squat website: www.drsquat.com 3. Hall, S.J. Basic Biomechanic 1999. 4. Siff, Mel C. and Verkhoshansky, Y.V. Supertraining 1999. 5. Wilmore, J.H.and Costill, D.L. Physiology of Sports and Exercise 1999. 6. Zatsiorsky, V.M. Science and Practice of Strength Training 1995.