What defines muscular strength?

Muscular strength is defined as the ability of a muscle or a group of muscles to generate force against resistance in a single effort. This definition indicates that muscular strength is fundamentally about the force produced by muscles during physical activity. It is typically measured by the maximum amount of force a muscle can exert in a specific movement, often evaluated through one-repetition maximum tests in a strength training context.

The other options focus on different physical capabilities that are not synonymous with muscular strength. For instance, running long distances involves muscular endurance and cardiovascular fitness rather than pure strength. The ability to quickly change direction relates more to agility and coordination. Lifting a moderate weight multiple times pertains to muscular endurance rather than maximal strength, as this necessitates repetitive exertion over time rather than a focus on a single maximum force output. Thus, the choice that accurately captures the essence of muscular strength is the ability of a muscle to generate force against resistance.