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The Navy SEAL Physical Fitness Guide - Uniformed Services ...

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Chapter 8CalisthenicsCalisthenics are a traditional and integral part ofthe <strong>SEAL</strong>’s training program because they require minimal equipment and can beperformed in almost any location. Calisthenic exercises, depending on how they areperformed, can be used to develop flexibility, muscle strength, muscle endurance, and/ormuscle power. <strong>The</strong>se terms have been previously defined in Chapter 1. In this chapter wewill discuss the benefits and proper use of calisthenics within the Special Warfare trainingenvironment.<strong>The</strong> Muscle Strength-Endurance ContinuumMuscle strength and muscle endurance exist on a continuum. Given that musclestrength is the amount of force generated by one repetition and muscle endurance is theability to exert force repeatedly over time, improving muscle strength will improve muscleendurance. If your one repetition maximum weight is increased, your submaximummultiple repetitions can be performed with more weight (resistance).Muscle strength is developed by performing low-repetition (6-12), high-resistanceexercises. When more than 12 repetitions can be performed, the resistance should beincreased, and the repetitions decreased. Muscle endurance is developed by high-repetition(>12), low-resistance exercises.A set for an exercise is the number ofrepetitions performed per unit weight.<strong>The</strong> <strong>Navy</strong> <strong>SEAL</strong> <strong>Physical</strong> <strong>Fitness</strong> <strong>Guide</strong> 133

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