Monday, January 7, 2013

Muscular Strength

As a dancer, my muscles need to be strong.  But I don't want to look like a freak.  You know what I'm talking about.  Those people with the veins popping out of their nasty bulging muscles that look like misshapen blobs poking out of their bodies........need I say any more?  Anywho, I'm supposed to define some terms relating to muscular strength in "my own words."

Isotonic Exercise: Muscles change in length while lifting a constant amount of weight at various speeds through different ranges of motion.  (i.e. weight-lifting)

Isometric Exercise: Muscles exert in a motionless action on an immovable object and don't change in length. (i.e. pushing against a wall)

Isokinetic Exercise: Exercise that involves pushing, lifting or pulling weight or resistance at a constant speed.

The Overload Principle: In order for your muscles to get stronger, you need to put a greater amount of stress (more than normal) for that to happen.  Otherwise, the muscles will never learn how to adapt in a better way to the added stress and will never get very strong.  Basically, a normal amount of exercise will maintain a normal fitness level.

Work/Rest Ratio: Don't just work your butt of when you exercise....to get the most out of your workout, rest in between!  There are different work/rest ratios for different types of training goals.

I can find different ways in order to incorporate all these into my life now that I know that all are pretty important in maintaining good physical health!  And I will definitely use that work/rest ration! ;)  I love rests..... haha....

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