Strength Flashcards
1
Q
What are the types of strength, examples?
A
- Static strength, force is applied against a resistance without movement occurring (isometric contraction)
E.g. rugby players crouching for a scrum - Dynamic strength, force is applied against resistance with movement occurring, also known as power output
E.g. hop step and jump phases of triple jump - Maximum strength, the ability to produce a maximal amount of force in a singular contraction (1 RM)
E.g. Olympic weightlifter performing a deadlift - Explosive strength, the ability to produce a maximal amount of force in a series of rapid muscular contractions
E.g. sprinting down the wing in rugby - Strength endurance, the ability to sustain repeated muscular contractions over a period of time
E.g. swimming (muscles perform same movement repeatedly).
2
Q
What are the factors which affect strength?
A
- Cross-sectional area of muscle:
- Greater the cross-sectional area of muscle = greater strength.
- Maximum of 16-30 Newtons per cm² - Fibre type:
- Greater % of FG and FOG fibres = greater strength over a short period of time
- They contract with higher force = higher force of contraction - Gender:
- Males have greater strength than females
- Males have greater muscle mass and cross-sectional areas due to higher testosterone levels - Age:
- Peak strength is 16-25 for females and 18-30 for males, strength then decreases with age
- Due to decreased efficiency of neuromuscular system, elasticity, testosterone and reduction of muscle mass.
3
Q
What are the strength tests?
A
- 1RM test, maximum strength
- Grip strength dynamometer test, maximum strength
- UK abdominal curl test, strength endurance
- Vertical jump test, explosive test.
4
Q
What is the 1RM test, advantages and disadvantages?
A
- 1RM test is a maximum strength test which involves lifting a high weight for 1 repetition
- Advantages
- Direct measurement
- Easy procedure
- Most muscle groups can be tested - Disadvantages
- Difficult to isolate individual muscles
- Trial and error may induce fatigue
- Potential for injury.
5
Q
What is the grip dynamometer test, advantages and disadvantages?
A
- Grip dynamometer test is a maximal strength test
- Advantages
- Simple to measure
- Inexpensive equipment
- High reliability - Disadvantages
- Only forearm muscles are assessed
- Test is not sport specific
6
Q
What is the UK abdominal curl test?
A
- Abdominal curl test is a strength endurance test which involves continuous sit-ups at progressive intensities to exhaustion
- Advantages
- Good for large groups
- Simple and cheap
- Abdominal muscles can be isolated
- Valid and reliable - Disadvantages
- Good technique is needed
- Safety concern over strain on lower back
- Result affected by motivation
- Not sport specific.
7
Q
What is the vertical jump test?
A
- Vertical jump test is an explosive strength test
- Advantages
- Easy to test and minimal equipment
- Can test yourself
- Data can be converted to calculate power output - Disadvantages
- Measure not isolated to one muscle group
- Only estimates explosive strength in legs.