Training Tip
Resource Library

August, 1998

What is Strength?

By Brian Mackenzie
British Athletic Federation (BAF) Senior Coach

What is Strength?

The common definition is the ability to exert a force against a resistance. The strength needed for a sprinter to explode from the blocks is different to the strength needed by a weight lifter to lift a 200 kg barbell. This therefore implies that there are different types of strength.

What are the classifications of strength?

The classifications of strength are:

• Maximum strength -the greatest force that is possible in a single maximum contraction
• Elastic strength - the ability to overcome a resistance with a fast contraction
• Strength endurance - the ability to express force many times over

How do we get strong?

A muscle will only strengthen when it is worked beyond its normal operation, it is overloaded. Overload can be progressed by increasing the:

• number of repetitions of an exercise
• number of sets of the exercise
• intensity - reduced recover time

How do we develop each strength?

Maximum strength can be developed with:

• weight training

Elastic strength can be developed with:

• conditioning exercises
• medicine ball exercises
• plyometric exercises
• weight training

Strength endurance can be developed with:

• circuit training
• dumbbell exercises
• weight training
• hill and harness running

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