This document defines different types of strength, including compressive, shear, and tensile strength. It discusses muscle strength as the ability of a muscle to generate force to overcome external forces. The document also outlines the Oxford muscle grading system for assessing muscle strength from Grade 0 to 5 based on the level of contraction and range of motion against resistance. Finally, it notes that muscle strength can be improved through exercise therapy combined with a supportive diet and lifestyle.
2. Material: Strength is the ability to resist
external force.
Living organism: strength is the ability of a
muscle to generate maximum tension to
overcome external forces (antagonist
muscle tone and other external forces)
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3. COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH: ability to
work against an axially directed force such
as gravity. Seen in antigravity muscles in
human.
SHEAR STRENGTH: ability to prevent cut
if the shear strength limit has not been
exceeded.
TENSILE STRENGTH: almost the same
as compressive stgrength but it’s against
force from the same kind, e.g. antagonist
muscle.
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4. Is the ability of an individual muscles to
generate enough force in carrying out
daily activities such as eating, working,
washing.
The strength of human muscle is a factor
of how strong such an individual is.
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5. This is according to the Oxford
muscle grading system. It’s
popularly use to access muscles
strength in individual suffering from
neuromuscular condition(s).
It ranges from grade 0 to 5
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6. Grade 0 - the muscle cannot contract.
Grade 1 – there is contraction but zero range
of motion.
Grade 2 – contraction with movement only in
the gravity free plane (horizontally)
Grade 3 – contraction with movement in the
vertical plane.
Grade 4 – contraction with movement in the
vertical plane + mild resistance.
Grade 5 – contraction with movement in the
vertical plane + maximum resistance.
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7. It’s of importance to know that MUSCLE
GRADE 5 differs from an individual to
another individual.
Muscle strength can be improved by an
exercise therapy with appropriate diet and
lifestyle that support muscle growth.
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