AAU Strength & Conditioning Fundamentals Flashcards

What does 'muscular endurance' measure in an athlete?

Answer: The ability of a muscle or group to sustain repeated contractions over time

Muscular endurance refers to a muscle's capacity to perform repeated contractions against a submaximal resistance over an extended period.

Which of the following is the most appropriate rest period between sets when training for maximal strength?

Answer: 2–5 minutes

Maximal strength training requires 2–5 minutes of rest between sets to allow adequate recovery of the phosphocreatine system and neural readiness.

What is the key difference between isotonic and isometric muscle contractions?

Answer: Isotonic contractions involve movement while isometric contractions occur without joint movement

Isotonic contractions produce movement (concentric or eccentric), while isometric contractions generate force without changing muscle length or joint angle.

In the context of AAU athlete development, what is the primary benefit of plyometric training?

Answer: It develops explosive power by training the stretch-shortening cycle

Plyometric training enhances explosive power by utilizing and improving the stretch-shortening cycle, enabling faster and more forceful muscle contractions.

Which assessment would best measure an athlete's lower-body explosive power for AAU performance tracking?

Answer: Vertical jump test

The vertical jump test is a widely validated field assessment for measuring lower-body explosive power in athletic populations.

What does FITT stand for in exercise program design?

Answer: Frequency, Intensity, Time, Type

FITT is an acronym for Frequency, Intensity, Time, and Type — the four key variables used to design and modify exercise programs.