Types of Strength Qualities

Types of Strength Qualities

What Are the Different Types of Strength Qualities Based on Various Sport Demands and Manifestations of Strength?

Classification by the Relationship Between Strength and Body Weight

(1) Absolute Strength: Absolute strength refers to the maximum force an athlete can exert without considering their body weight. Generally, athletes with a higher body weight tend to possess greater absolute strength.

(2) Relative Strength: Relative strength measures an athlete's ability to produce maximum force relative to their body weight. In other words, an athlete's relative strength is calculated by dividing their absolute strength by their body weight. During strength training, athletes can increase their relative strength by reducing their body weight, which is particularly crucial for sports involving moving one's body weight, such as long jump and high jump.

Classification by the Manifestation of Strength

(1) Quick Strength: Quick strength is the capacity of the human neuromuscular system to overcome resistance through rapid muscle contractions. It is characterized by speed and acceleration. Quick strength plays a decisive role in sports that require explosive efforts. Its mechanism involves the coordination between the neuromuscular system's reflex activities, muscle elasticity, and contraction components to accept and counteract rapid external loads. Both contraction strength and contraction speed contribute to the generation of quick strength through intricate coordination.

(2) Maximal Strength: Maximal strength is the highest force value that muscles can exhibit during maximal voluntary contractions against resistance that cannot be overcome. Maximal strength depends on the intensity and frequency of neural impulses sent to the muscles and is influenced by the muscle's ability to coordinate internal contractions and joint angles. For many competitive athletes, maximal strength is not a fixed value; it exists within a dynamic range, allowing each athlete to explore their potential for pushing their maximal strength limits.

(3) Strength Endurance: Strength endurance refers to the organism's ability to tolerate fatigue while maintaining a relatively high level of strength. Its primary characteristic is the ability to sustain a high level of performance over an extended duration. In many sports, there is a high demand for strength endurance.