Strength

Question 1

Definition of strength

Answer 1

The ability of the body to apply a force

Question 2

Definition of static strength (also known as isometric strength)

Answer 2

When a force is applied against resistance without any movement occurring or change in muscle length

Question 3

Definition of dynamic strength

Answer 3

Force applied with movement and a change in muscle length
OR
The amount of work performed per unit of time. Characterised by movement

Question 4

Definition of maximal strength

Answer 4

The ability to produce a maximal amount of force in a singular muscle contraction

Question 5

Definition of explosive strength

Answer 5

The ability to produce a maximal amount of force in one or a series of rapid muscular contractions

Question 6

Definition of strength endurance

Answer 6

The ability to sustain repeated muscular contractions over a period of time withstanding fatigue

Question 7

What is a sporting example of static strength?

Answer 7

-Crucifix position on rings
-Plank
-Arabesque on beam
-Handstand on the floor

Question 8

What is a sporting example of dynamic strength?

Answer 8

-Hop, step, jump in triple jump

Question 9

What is a sporting example of maximal strength?

Answer 9

-1 rep max in weight lifting
-Judo single throw
-Push in rugby scrum

Question 10

What is a sporting example of explosive strength?

Answer 10

-Sprinting
-Throwing in athletics

Question 11

What is a sporting example of strength endurance?

Answer 11

-Rowing
-Swimming
-Wresting

Question 12

What are the 4 factors affecting strength?

Answer 12

Cross-sectional area, Fibre type, Gender, Age

Question 13

How does cross-sectional area affect strength?

Answer 13

Effect - The greater the cross-sectional area the greater the strength

Explanation - There is a maximum of 16-30 N of force per cm2 of muscle cross-section

Question 14

How does fibre type affect strength?

Answer 14

Effect - The greater the % of fast glycolytic and fast oxidative glycolytic muscle fibres, the greater the strength over a short period of time

Explanation - Fast-twitch fibres have large motor neurones forming large motor units with rapid, high force contractions

Question 15

How does gender affect strength?

Answer 15

Effect - Males have a greater strength than females

Explanation - Males have a high muscle mass and cross-sectional area due to high levels of testosterone. But gender difference disappears when strength is expressed per unit of cross-sectional area

Question 16

How does age affect strength?

Answer 16

Effect - Peak strength is reached in females at 16-25 years and males at 18-30 years. Strength development peaks at 20-30 years then declines with age

Explanation - Age-related decline in strength is due to a decrease in efficiency of the neuro-muscular system, elasticity and testosterone, leading to a reduction in muscle mass

Question 17

What are the 4 different tests to measure strength?

Answer 17

One-rep max (maximal strength)
UK Abdominal curl test (strength endurance)
Grip dynamometer (maximum strength)
Vertical jump test (explosive strength)

Question 18

What type of strength is tested in the one rep max test?

Answer 18

Maximum strength

Question 19

What is the protocol for the one rep max test?

Answer 19

1. Subject selects a high weight achievable in 1RM
2. Increase weight until only 1RM can be achieved (ensure full recovery between reps)

Question 20

What are the advantages of the 1RM test?

Answer 20

-Direct objective measure
-Easy procedure, accessible equipment
-Most muscle group can be tested

Question 21

What are the disadvantages of the 1RM test?

Answer 21

-Difficult to isolate individual muscles
-Trial and error may lead to fatigue
-Good technique is essential
-Potential for injury performing maximal lifts

Question 22

What type of strength is tested in the UK abdominal curl test?

Answer 22

Strength Endurance

Question 23

What is the protocol for the UK abdominal curl test?

Answer 23

1. Continuous sit-ups at progressive intensities to exhaustion in time to an audio cue
2. The stage and sit-up number / comparison table

Question 24

What are the advantages of the UK abdominal curl test?

Answer 24

-Large groups can perform test at the same time
-Simple and cheap
-Valid and reliable test
-Abdominal muscles can be isolated

Question 25

What are the disadvantages of the UK abdominal curl test?

Answer 25

-Good technique required/injury risk -Maximal test to exhaustion, reliant on subject motivation -Test is not sport specific (eg. Cyclists, swimmers at a disadvantage) -Safety concerns over repeated strain on the lower spine

Question 26

What type of strength is being tested in the grip strength dynamometer test?

Answer 26

Maximum strength

Question 27

What are the advantages of the grip strength dynamometer test?

Answer 27

-Simple and objective measures -Inexpensive equipment -High reliability

Question 28

What are the disadvantages of the grip strength dynamometer test?

Answer 28

-Only forearm muscles test -Test is not sport-specific

Question 29

What is the protocol for the grip strength dynamometer test?

Answer 29

1. Hold dynamometer with straight arm above head 2. Arm is brought down whilst squeezing grip maximally 3. 3 attempts for dominant and non-dominant hand / table predicts

Question 30

What type of strength is being tested in the vertical jump test?

Answer 30

Explosive strength

Question 31

What is the protocol for the vertical jump test?

Answer 31

1. Mark highest point reached with straight arm then highest point jumped and measure difference 2. Difference between resting and jump height/ comparison table

Question 32

What are the advantages of the vertical jump test?

Answer 32

-Data can be converted to a power output measure -Easy test to carry out , minimal equipment requires -Self-administrable

Question 33

What are the disadvantages of the vertical jump test?

Answer 33

-The measure is not isolated to one muscle group -Only measures explosive strength in the legs