Exploring Exercises for Muscular Fitness: Practice

Females who lift weights are not going to develop large, bulky muscles because __________.

C. they have lower testosterone levels than men

Which of the following statements about weight training is TRUE?

D. Everyone can benefit from lifting weights.

Explain why not everyone can become a bodybuilder, even if they train hard enough.

While weight training will improve muscle strength and mass, the potential of a body to develop muscle is limited in part by genetic factors that are out of an individual's control. Other health and fitness conditions may also limit a person's ability to build sufficient muscle to qualify as a bodybuilder. As a result, not everyone can become a bodybuilder, even with sufficient training.

During eccentric muscle contraction, the muscle __________.

A. gets longer as it contracts

Which of the following is a leg exercise?

A. lunges

A well-designed weight-training program for men targets which of the following major body areas?

D. all of the above

Explain how calisthenics can include both isometric and isotonic exercises.

In calisthenics, the resistance is provided by moving the body against the force of gravity. But while body weight is ultimately the force providing the resistance, calisthenics can include exercises with and without muscle movement. Push-ups and sit-ups are isotonic calisthenics that involve muscle movement, while isometric exercises such as yoga require great effort to hold the body motionless in different positions.

Explain why it is important for a well-designed weight-training program to develop all six areas of the body.

In order to develop the muscles of the body evenly, it is important for all major muscle groups to be exercised. A weight-training program that only focuses on a select few areas of the body will neglect areas that are also important. To achieve optimal physical fitness, no single area of the body can be neglected for weight training.

Explain why isokinetic exercises cannot generally be performed by individuals at home.

Isokinetic exercises require exerting a constant force against an equal and constant opposing force. Maintaining this constant opposing force requires specialized, expensive equipment that most people cannot afford. As a result, these kinds of exercises cannot generally be performed at home.

Why is it a myth that aerobic exercise is the only way to burn fat?

While aerobic exercise is a good way to burn fat, weight training is also a great way to burn calories. Weight training has very high energy requirements, so even a moderate weight-training workout can burn a large number of calories.