Women and strength training

Abstract

Strength training does not constitute women’s favourite physical activity. It is demonstrated in the survey conducted by Budzyńska at the University of Szczecin in 2013 among students of the Pedagogical Faculty. Only 1% of the surveyed students showed interest in strength training. The vision of a bodybuilding silhouette discourages women from taking up strength training. It is displayed in the survey conducted by Zaustowska in 2001 among junior high school students. Out of 78 respondents, 71 stated that they did not like the muscular figure. These fears are unfounded since a woman’s body is not disposed to achieve a bodybuilding figure. It depends on the structural, morphological and biochemical properties of one’s body. Some women who practice bodybuilding rely on strength training additionally supporting the growth of muscle mass with nutrients. This paper presents the advantages of applying strength training in everyday physical activity. These include fat reduction and a slim figure. Furthermore, the result of strength training is a relative increase in muscle mass and strength development. Another benefit of this form of activity is the strengthening of the structures which stabilize joints and bones thus reducing the risk of injury. The duration of static exercise depends on the applied load. Due to the short duration of static effort and relatively high strength commitment, energy for working muscles comes from anaerobic changes. ATP, phosphocreatine and a small amount of glycogen which are hydrolyzed. During the static exercise blood pressure and heart rate are increased. These changes are dependent on the size of the strength developed to oppose resistance. A heavy load used during the static exercise often causes reflex respiratory arrest, a dangerous phenomenon resulting in fainting during the exercise.