A Study Of Two Methods To Increase Strength

Strength Is of vital importance in motor activities and athletics. It has been shown that it can be augmented significantly through special exercise programs. DeLorme and Watkins stated: As contractile power increases, the resistance against which the muscle pits its tension must become progressively greater and greater. The major resultant of any exercise system based on such a plan is the development of strength. The principle involved in this type of exercise program is called the overload principle. Even though the same method of training is used, the rapidity and the ultimate degree of development in different people will be different. Some of this variation may be explained and even predicted through examination of the anatomical characteristics of individuals. This is only a partial explanation. The complete explanation is still a mystery. A gain in absolute strength does not necessarily mean the individual has developed either the endurance or speed of movement necessary to do the physical work associated with a specific job. That a muscle can display greater strength when stretched is a proven fact; however, it does not follow that in a strength development program, using the overload principle, that a muscle would increase in strength more rapidly if exercised at a longer length or at a shorter length. Since time is a limiting factor in any exercise program, especially athletics, it would be extremely valuable to find a method or the method, that would provide the desired objective, namely, increase in strength in the minimum length of time