Research Paper on:
Overview of Strength Training and Its Benefits

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
in particular, has proven to be a most valuable instrument of total body fitness and is regarded by many fitness experts as "probably the single most positive development in... conditioning  over the past half-century" (Emry, 2000). Strength training classes and programs are everywhere, and every professional and college team now have strength coaches on staff (Emry, 2000). What  exactly is strength training? It is also often commonly referred to as resistance training, and is basically a matter of making your muscles stronger by pushing or pulling against  some type of force, which can be accomplished through weight lifting, doing exercises such as push-ups or by using a rowing machine (Braunstein, 2000). A regular strength training regimen,  over time, enables the muscle fibers to lengthen and thicken, which means that the force can be increased (i.e., heavier weights can be lifted) for longer periods of time, which  results in considerable health benefits (Braunstein, 2000). First, in people of all ages, bone density is improved, as are overall strength and motor skills (Braunstein, 2000). The supporting  muscular structure, including tendons and ligaments, are substantially improved through strength training, thereby reducing the risk of developing arthritis, sprained joints and strained muscles (Braunstein, 2000). Furthermore, it improves  muscle function and endurance as well as increases metabolism by turning excess body fat into muscle, virtually transforming the human body into "calorie-burning machines" (Braunstein, 2000, p. 33). Strength training  can benefit everyone, including people over 50, at least if the plan, class, or program is physician approved. Studies have indicated that a carefully structured strength training program can  impressively increase the strength in rapidly growing preadolescents and adolescents as well as muscle enlargement in both boys and girls (Strength Training by Children and Adolescents, 2001). Although studies