| Absolute Endurance | Muscular endurance measured by the maximum number of repetitions one can perform against a given resistance; for example, the number of times you can bench press 50 pounds.
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| Absolute Strength | The maximum amount of force one can exert, e.g., maximum number of pounds or kilograms one can lift on one attempt.
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| Anabolic Steroids | Synthetic hormones similar to the male sex hormone testosterone. They function androgenically to stimulate male characteristics and anabolically to increase muscle mass, weight, bone maturation, and virility.
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| Concentric Contraction | Isotonic muscle contractions in which the muscle gets shorter as it contracts, such as when a joint is bent and two body parts move closer together.
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| Definition | The detailed external appearance of a muscle.
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| Dynamic Muscular Endurance | A muscles ability to contract and relax repeatedly. This is usually measured by the number of times (repetitions) you can perform a body movement in a given time period. It is also called isotonic endurance.
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| Dynamic Strength | A muscles ability to exert force that result in movement. It is typically measured isotonically.
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| Eccentric Contraction | Isotonic muscle contraction in which the muscle gets longer as it contracts; that is, when a weight is gradually lowered and the contracting muscle gets longer as it gives up tension. Eccentric contractions are also called "negative exercise."
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| Hypertrophy | Increase in the size of muscles as the result of strength training; increase in bulk.
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| Isokinetic | Isotonic concentric exercises done with a machine that regulates movement velocity and resistance.
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| Isometric | Type of muscle contraction in which the muscle remains the same length. Also known as static.
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| Isotonic | Type of muscle contraction in which the muscle changes length, either shortening (concentrically) or lengthening (eccentrically).
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| Plyometrics | A training technique used to develop explosive power. It consists of isotonic-concentric isotonic muscle contractions performed after a pre-stretch or eccentric contraction of a muscle.
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| Progressive Resistance Exercise (PRE) | Exercises done against a resistance; also referred to as progressive resistance training (PRT).
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| 1 Repetition Maximum (1 RM) | The maximum amount of resistance one can move a given number of times; for example 1 RM = maximum weight lifted one time; 6 RM = maximum weight one can lift six times.
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| Relative Muscular Endurance | Endurance measured by the maximum number of repetitions one can perform against a resistance that is a given percentage of your absolute strength – e.g., the number of times you can lift 50 percent of your absolute strength.
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| Relative Strength | Amount of force that one can exert in relation to one's body weight or per unit of muscle cross-section.
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| Static Muscular Endurance | A muscle's ability to remain contracted for a long period. This is usually measured by the length of time you can hold a body position.
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| Static Strength | A muscle's ability to exert a force without changing length; also called isometric strength.
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