Question

What physiological factors affect strength? What physiological factors affect power? (Provide at least 2 factors for strength and at least 2 for power)

Answer 1

Physiological factors that affect strength are: -

i) Muscle size – The length and size of the muscle impacts the strength as depending on its size it can produce more force. When the muscle fibers are larger, it can produce more force as compared to the smaller muscle fibers and hence they are comparatively stronger. Hence, the length and size of the muscles helps in transferring the strength together.

ii) Type of muscle fiber – Another factor that impacts the muscle strength is the type of muscle fiber present. Depending on the presence and activation of the muscle fibers, one can adapt to a certain type of exercise regime. When one has more of slow twitch muscle fibers, it supports more of aerobic activities while when there is increase in the concentration of fast twitch muscle fibers, it is best suitable for adapting to anaerobic activities. The muscle strength is based also on the twitch muscles and when there is high number of fast twitch muscle fibers, it helps in increasing the muscular strength.

Physiological factors that affect power are:-

i) Maximum oxygen consumption – The ability to consume more oxygen during exercise helps in enhancing the power. When one performs more of aerobic exercise, with time they are able to generate or use more oxygen which helps in improving their power.

ii) Cardiovascular output – This is another factor which helps in enhancing and increasing the power. When there is increase in the heart rate and the cardiac output is increased, it helps in increasing the power.