Chapter 4: Muscular Strength and Endurance Terms and Definitions

Question 1

Muscular strength

Answer 1

The amount of force a muscle can produce with a single maximum effort

Question 2

Muscular endurance

Answer 2

The ability of a muscle or group of muscles to remain contracted or to contract repeatedly

Question 3

Muscle fibre

Answer 3

A single muscle cell

Question 4

Hypertrophy

Answer 4

An increase in the size of a muscle fibre, usually stimulated by muscular overload

Question 5

Atrophy

Answer 5

A decrease in the size of muscle cells

Question 6

Hyperplasia

Answer 6

An increase in the number of muscle cells

Question 7

Slow-twitch fibres

Answer 7

Red muscle fibres that are fatigue-resistant but have a slow contraction speed and a lower capacity for tension

Question 8

Fast-twitch fibres

Answer 8

White muscle fibres that contract rapidly and forcefully but fatigue quickly

Question 9

Power

Answer 9

The ability to exert force rapidly

Question 10

Motor unit

Answer 10

A motor nerve connected to one or more muscle fibres

Question 11

Tendon

Answer 11

A tough band of fibrous tissue that connects a muscle to a bone or other body part and transmits the force exerted by the muscle

Question 12

Ligament

Answer 12

A tough band of tissue that connects the ends of bones to other bones or supports organs in place

Question 13

Testosterone

Answer 13

The principle male hormone, responsible for the development of secondary sex characteristics and important in increasing muscle size

Question 14

Repetition maximum (RM)

Answer 14

The maximum amount of resistance that can be moved a specified number of times

Question 15

Repetitions

Answer 15

The number of times an exercise is performed during one set

Question 16

Static (isometric) exercise

Answer 16

Exercise involving a muscle contraction without a change in the length of the muscle

Question 17

Dynamic (isotonic) exercise

Answer 17

Exercise involving a muscle contraction with a change in the length of the muscle

Question 18

Concentric muscle contraction

Answer 18

An isotonic contraction in which the muscle gets shorter as it contracts

Question 19

Eccentric muscle contraction

Answer 19

An isotonic contraction in which the muscle lengthens as it contract

Question 20

Plyometrics

Answer 20

Rapid stretching of a muscle group that is undergoing eccentric stress, followed by a rapid concentric contraction

Question 21

Speed Loading

Answer 21

Moving a load as rapidly as possible

Question 22

Isokinetic

Answer 22

The application of force at a constant speed against an equal force

Question 23

Spotter

Answer 23

A person who assists with a weight training exercise done with free weights

Question 24

Set

Answer 24

A group of repetitions followed by a rest period

Question 25

Agonist

Answer 25

A muscle in a state of contraction, opposed by the action of another muscle, its antagonist

Question 26

Antagonist

Answer 26

A muscle that opposes the action of another muscle, its agonist

Question 27

Anabolic steroids

Answer 27

Synthetic male hormones taken to enhance athletic performance and body composition