What is muscular strength?

Muscular strength is defined as the maximum amount of force that a muscle or group of muscles can exert in a single effort. It is directly related to an individual's ability to generate power and lift heavy weights. This strength reflects the capacity of the muscle fibers to produce force against resistance, which is why the ability to lift heavy objects is a key indicator of muscular strength.

In contrast, endurance pertains to how well muscles can sustain prolonged activity, which does not directly reflect strength. Running long distances primarily tests cardiovascular fitness rather than muscular strength, and flexibility concerns the range of motion in a joint, rather than the power of the muscles themselves. Therefore, understanding muscular strength as the capability to exert maximum force in lifting is fundamentally important in distinguishing it from other fitness components.