What is it called when your muscles have the ability to perform contractions for extended periods of time?

We all have an idea of what "fit" should look like. For some people, it means having a sleek Hollywood body, while others want to have massive muscles or a perfect hourglass figure.

But fitness isn't defined by appearance! There are five components of physical fitness you need to consider:

1. Muscular Strength

This is the "power" that helps you to lift and carry heavy objects. Without muscular strength, your body would be weak and unable to keep up with the demands placed upon it.

The way to increase strength is to train with heavy weights, working in the 4 - 6 or 12 - 15 rep ranges. The heavier the weight, the fewer reps you should perform!

2. Muscular Endurance

Endurance is the ability of your muscles to perform contractions for extended periods of time. Rather than just lifting or carrying something for a few seconds, the muscles are used for minutes.

The way to increase strength is to train with light weights, working in the 20 - 25 rep range. Working with lighter weight will train the muscle fibers needed for muscular endurance, and the higher rep range leads to a longer period of exercise.

3. Cardiovascular Endurance

Cardiovascular endurance is your body's ability to keep up with exercise like running, jogging, swimming, cycling, and anything that forces your cardiovascular system (lungs, heart, blood vessels) to work for extended periods of time. Together, the heart and lungs fuel your body with the oxygen needed by your muscles, ensuring that they have the oxygen needed for the work they are doing.

The Cooper Run (running as far as possible in 12 minutes) is a test commonly used to assess cardiovascular endurance, but many trainers use the Step Test (stepping onto a platform for 5 minutes). Both are accurate measures of a subject's cardiovascular endurance.

4. Flexibility

Flexibility is one of the most important, yet often overlooked, components of physical fitness. Without flexibility, the muscles and joints would grow stiff and movement would be limited. Flexibility training ensures that your body can move through its entire range of motion without pain or stiffness.

To test your flexibility, lean forward and try to touch your toes. Those with good flexibility will usually be able to touch their toes, while those with limited flexibility will not. The sit and reach test (sitting on the floor and reaching toward your toes) is another good way to assess your flexibility. The more flexible you are, the closer you will come to touching your toes and beyond.

5. Body Fat Composition

Body fat composition refers to the amount of fat on your body. For example, a 100-pound person with a 25% body fat composition will have a lean body mass of 75 pounds.

To qualify as fit:

  • Men must have a body fat composition lower than 17 percent
  • Women must have a body fat composition lower than 24 percent

The average man tends to have about 18 to 24 percent body fat, while the average woman has 25 to 31 percent body fat.

Any program that neglects one or more of these types of fitness is NOT going to benefit your body in the long run. An effective fitness program will attempt to improve all five components of fitness!

What is it called when your muscles have the ability to perform contractions for extended periods of time?

Three Benefits of Sweating

Some people get lucky and are born with fit, toned bodies. Andy Peloquin is not one of those people... Fitness has come hard for him, and he's had to work for it. His trials have led him to becoming a martial artist, an NFPT-certified fitness trainer, and a man passionate about exercise, diet and healthy living. He loves to exercise -- he does so six days a week -- and loves to share his passion for fitness and health with others.

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What is it called when your muscles have the ability to perform contractions for extended periods of time?

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Muscular EndurancePTFnimda2019-02-07T17:08:33+00:00

  • What is it called when your muscles have the ability to perform contractions for extended periods of time?

Muscular Endurance

What is muscular endurance?

Muscular endurance is the ability of a muscle or group of muscles to perform repetitive contractions against a force for an extended period of time. The greater your muscular endurance the higher number of repetitions you could complete.

Do you need muscular endurance?

By building muscular endurance you will be able to perform physical tasks for a longer period. Whilst strength allows you to lift a force, endurance allows you to continue doing this over time.

Benefits to endurance training:

  • Increased metabolism as physical tasks can be completed for longer
  • Reduced fatigue when exercising
  • Good posture
  • Fewer injuries
  • Less chance of back problems due to built endurance of trunk muscles
  • Better sporting performance
  • Refined training techniques for many exercises

What is it called when your muscles have the ability to perform contractions for extended periods of time?

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What is it called when your muscles have the ability to perform contractions for extended periods of time?

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What is it called when your muscles have the ability to perform contractions for extended periods of time?

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How to increase muscular endurance?

Weight training – aim to complete a movement for at least 12 repetitions. If your muscles are exhausting sooner, then the weight is too heavy and you are building strength not endurance. You can use either machines or free-weights to improve your muscular endurance.

Exercise slowly and controlled – avoid jerky movements and throwing the weights about. Lower the resistance slowly when training through the complete range of motion. Many people make the mistake of thinking as they are trying to perform higher repetitions that they should just move faster.

Regular exercise – if you want to improve endurance you need to train on a regular basis. Ideally on a daily basis. Work on completing the minimum 12 reps, taking a short rest and then repeating for at least 3 sets on each major muscle group.

Challenge the body – you need to ensure it doesn’t become too easy. When comfortable performing repetitions of an exercise, do one of the following: increase weight used, number of reps, number of sets or reduce the length of the rest period.

Move better – the more efficiently you are moving the easier it will be to increase your endurance. For beginners it is key to start with simple movements when performing resistance training and building this up. Start on machines and progressing to free-weights is a great way to do this. If you think of your running technique, the more fluid this is the longer you will be able to perform as you will be working far more efficiently.

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Is the ability of your muscles to perform contractions for extended periods of time?

Muscular endurance is the ability of a muscle or muscle group to perform repeated contractions against a load for an extended period of time.

What is the ability of the muscle to continue contraction for an extended period of time without fatigue?

Endurance refers to the ability of a muscle to undergo repeated contractions against a set resistance for a period of time.

What is isometric and isotonic?

Isometric contractions are contractions in which there is no change in the length of the muscle. No joint or limb motion occurs. Isotonic contractions occur when the muscle changes length, producing limb motion. Concentric contractions occur when the muscle shortens.

What is isometric contraction of muscles?

Isometric exercises are tightening (contractions) of a specific muscle or group of muscles. During isometric exercises, the muscle doesn't noticeably change length. The affected joint also doesn't move. Isometric exercises help maintain strength. They can also build strength, but not effectively.