Sports science in English
from A to Z

Strength is a motor skill allowing to external resistance thanks to muscles. The volume and quality of muscle fibres are among the main factors that determine muscle strength, as well as availability of energy resources and gender. When considering strength, it is necessary to distinguish between absolute strength (the maximum strength that an individual can express) and relative strength, which is estimated according to an individual’s weight: in sports such as boxing or fighting the classes/divisions are established under this distinction.
Muscles can generate three types of force.

• Maximal strength: it is the greatest amount of force that a muscle can voluntarily produce to win or to balance a high resistance, as in weightlifting.
• Speed-strength or power: it is ability to produce as much force as possible in the shortest possible time, as the force exerted on a spiked volleyball.
• Resisting force: it is the ability to produce and to maintain a certain level of force for extended periods of time, as during a rowing race.
Strength training is very easy, but just as easily muscles lose their ability to express it. Therefore, it is particularly important to be consistent in training by increasing the workload, the number of repeats and the speed of execution of the exercise.