The Physics of Human Strength

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Welcome to the Physics of Strength

What make a person strong? According to Frederick Hatfield, Ph.D. and former world record holder in the Squat, there are 38 factors affecting strength. I have put them here for you to read quickly, but the original article can be found on www.drsquat.com.

1. Muscle Fiber Arrangement

2. Musculoskeletal Leverage

3. Tissue Leverage

4. Freedom of Movement Between Fibers

5. Tissue Viscoelasticity

6. Intramuscular/intracellular friction

7. Ratio of Fiber Types

8. Range of Motion

9. Freedom From Injury

10. Connective Tissue Structure

11. Stretch Reflex

12. The Feedback Loop

13. Endocrine System Functions (hormones)

14. Extent of hyperplasia (cell splitting) or fiber fusion

15. Extent of myofibrillarization

16. Motor Unit Recruitment

17. Energy transfer systems' efficiency

18. Extensiveness of capillarization

19. Mitochondrial growth and proliferation

20. Stroke volume of the left ventricle

21. Ejection fraction of the left ventricle

22. Pulmonary (ventilatory) capacity

23. Efficiency of gas exchange in the lungs

24. Heart rate

25. Max VO2 uptake

26. Freedom from disease

27. Arousal Level ("psych")

28. Ability to concentrate

29. Incentive

30. Social learning

31. Coordination

32. "Spiritual" factors

33. The "placebo" effect

34. Equipment

35. Environment

36. Effect of gravity

37. Opposing and assisting forces

This pretty much covers everything. As you can see, it takes a culmination of physical, natural, mental, spiritual, and psychological factors to be strong. It also takes time. The laws of physics play a huge role in what it means to be strong. On this site we will focus especially on the last two, the effect of gravity and forces. The physical concepts that will be used in this site include Newton's laws (of course), gravity, work, power, velocity and acceleration, static equilibrium, and conservation of mechanical energy. All concepts and useful equations will be explained as they are used.

What is the Squat?

The parallel squat (shown to the left) is the most important lift in all of sports and the most efficient exercise in building strength. It incorporates back and leg strength, stability, and coordination. Almost every athlete can benefit from doing squats.

How do you do Squats?

Squats are done with a weighted bar on your shoulders, in the natural groove between the muscles, with your feet a little farther than shoulder-width apart.

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