factors affecting strength

Question 1

What factors affect strength?

Answer 1

• cross-sectional area (of muscle)
• fibre type
• gender
• age

Question 2

How does the cross-sectional area of muscle affect our strength?

Answer 2

• the greater the cross-sectional area of muscle, the greater the strength
• maximum of 16-30 Newtons of force per square centimetre of muscle cross-section

Question 3

How does fibre type affect our strength?

Answer 3

• the greater the % of FG and FOG fibres the greater the strength over a short period of time
• FT have large motor neurons, forming large motor units with rapid high force contractions
• the greater the recruitment of FG fibres = greater force of contraction

Question 4

How does gender affect our strength?

Answer 4

• males have higher strength than females
• Males have higher muscle mass and cross-sectional area of muscle due to an increase in testosterone
• when strength is expressed per unit of cross-sectional area, the difference between gender largely disappears

Question 5

How does age affect our strength?

Answer 5

• Peak male strength = 18 to 30 y/o
• Peak female strength = 16 to 25 y/o
  strength development peaks at 20-30 then decreases with age –> due to a less efficient neuromuscular system, loss of elasticity and testosterone