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Another basic component of PFT/PRT training involves muscular strength and endurance, but as with aerobic conditioning, you need to develop it over time, not just before your fitness tests. Whether you’re training or in the field, your muscular strength and endurance are essential components of your overall fitness and injury prevention. But training to improve muscular strength is not the same as training for muscular endurance. Muscular strength is the amount of force that a muscle can produce with a single maximum effort. Muscular endurance is the ability to sustain a muscle contraction over a period of time, or to repeatedly contract a muscle over a period of time (for example, push-ups and sit-ups). Learn how to use the FITT principle to develop a muscular fitness routine that will build both strength and endurance to prepare for the PFT/PRT and beyond. FITT for muscular strength and enduranceAs with aerobic conditioning, you can use the FITT principle to guide your muscular fitness routine. Its components are frequency, intensity, type, and time, combined with progression. FrequencyResistance training for muscular fitness—both strength and endurance—by the “whole-body” training approach should be performed 2–3 days a week with at least 48 hours of rest between training sessions. The “split-body” approach involves focusing on one set of muscle groups one day and a different set on another day. This allows you to do resistance training on consecutive days in a cyclical routine. For example, you might exercise your upper-body muscles one day, followed by lower-body muscles the next, and core/back muscles the third day of the rotation. IntensityWhen training for muscular strength, use a weight that’s about 65–90% of your one-repetition maximum (1RM). If you’re new to weightlifting or haven’t lifted weights for a while, start at 60%. For experienced lifters who want to improve their muscular strength, aim for 8–12 reps per set for 2–4 sets, with a 2- to 3-minute rest between sets. To improve your muscular endurance, do 15–20 repetitions at no more than 50% of your 1RM, with a 2- to 3-minute rest between every one or two sets. A well-rounded muscular fitness program should include both strength and endurance training, but consider your specific goals when deciding on your approach. TypeThere are a lot of different types of resistance training workouts. Doing push-ups and sit-ups to prepare for the PFT/PRT is important, but other core exercises also can help build your strength and endurance. When choosing the best exercises for your workout, first consider your level of experience. If you’re new to weight training, then you should rely on machine exercises because they require much less technique and time to learn. If you have more experience and feel comfortable enough, then a combination of free weights and machines are ideal for building your muscle mass. The next consideration is the amount of muscle involved in the motion: the more joints and the larger the muscle group, the better. For example, an exercise involving ankles, knees, and hips is better than one just involving your ankles. TimeThe duration of a resistance-training workout can vary considerably. As for the tempo of each exercise, experiment with lifting a weight for a count of about 2 seconds, and lowering for a count of about 3–4; take about twice as long to lower as to lift. ProgressionOnce you can perform the maximum number of repetitions correctly and with relative ease, increase the amount of resistance by 5–10%. This applies to repetitions performed for both strength and endurance. DebriefMinimize the risk of injuries by using proper form, exercising with a partner, and paying attention to signs of excessive fatigue and pain. If you’re new to strength training, consider working with a personal trainer who can teach you proper technique. Strength training will pay off not only for your PFT/PRT but also in the things you do every day. Part 3 of this series addresses the flexibility and mobility component of PFT/PRT training. ReferencesAmerican Council on Exercise. Free weights vs. strength-training equipment. Retrieved from https://www.acefitness.org/acefit/healthy_living_fit_facts_content.aspx?itemid=2655&category=11 American Council on Exercise. How to choose the right personal trainer. Retrieved from https://www.acefitness.org/acefit/healthy_living_fit_facts_content.aspx?itemid=2587 American Council on Exercise. Strength training 101. Retrieved from https://www.acefitness.org/acefit/healthy_living_fit_facts_content.aspx?itemid=2661&category=11 Garber, C. E., Blissmer, B., Deschenes, M. R., Franklin, B. A., Lamonte, M. J., Lee, I.-M., . . . Swain, D. P. (2011). Quantity and quality of exercise for developing and maintaining cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, and neuromotor fitness in apparently healthy adults. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 43(7), 1334–1359. doi:10.1249/mss.0b013e318213fefb What is the recommended amount of resistance for improving muscular endurance?Repetitive maximum (RM) and resistance training
It is the RM range that determines what type of improvements the muscles will make. The optimal range for improving muscle strength is 8–12 RM for a beginner and 2–6 RM for the more advanced.
How many reps and sets should you do for muscular endurance?Determining How Many Sets and Reps to Do. What is the recommended amount of resistance in number of repetitions for building muscular strength rapidly quizlet?In a strength-training program, one should increase resistance when s/he can do at least 8 repetitions of a particular exercise with good form. During a strength training exercise, the agonist muscle contracts and the antagonist muscle stretches to allow the contraction.
What is the best way to improve muscular endurance?To increase muscular endurance, ACE recommend a combination of lower and upper body exercises, with strengthening exercises to target the whole body. Moderate resistance training, with short intervals in between for rest, creates short bursts of tension to build strength.
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