Terminology

Too many people think they know what they are talking about when it come to exercise. They use catch words like “endurance” “power” and “strength” but do not understand the real meaning behind those words.  After reading this, you will gain a better understanding of exercise terminology that will hopefully help boost your workouts and achieve your goals faster.

 

Muscle Imbalance:  Alteration of muscle length surrounding a joint

Muscular Endurance:  The ability of of the body to produce low levels of force and maintain them for an extended period of time. 

Hypertrophy:  Increase in size of the muscle.

Atrophy:  Decrease in size of the muscle.

Agonist:  Muscles that are the primary movers in a joint motion.  (Prime Movers)

Synergist:  Muscles that assist prime movers

Antagonist:  Muscles that act in direct opposition of the prime movers.

Stabilizers:  Muscle that support the body while the prime movers and the synergist perform the movements patters.

Neutralizers:  Muscles that counteract the unwanted actions of other muscles.

Power:  The ability to exert maximal force in the shortest amount of time.

Strength:  The ability of the neuromuscular system to provide internal tension and exert force against external resistance.  (Recorded as 1 rep max)

Strength Endurance:  The ability of the body to repeatedly produce high levels of force for prolonged periods

Neural Adaptations:  An adaptation to strength training in which muscles are under the direct command of the nervous system.  (For your muscles to contract and keep contracting…they must receive a signal from your nervous system.  If a motor unit (a neuron and all the muscle fibers it innervates) stop firing, you will not be able to lift that weight.