What is muscular strength?

Muscular strength is defined as the maximum amount of force that a muscle or muscle group can exert in a single effort. This definition emphasizes the capacity of the muscles to perform at their highest potential during one complete exertion, such as lifting a heavy weight or performing a maximal squat. This concept is fundamental in various fitness assessments and training methodologies, where the focus is often on increasing the weight lifted or the maximum force output.

The other options pertain to different aspects of physical fitness and health. The ability to sustain repeated contractions relates to muscular endurance, which is distinct from strength. The range of motion relates to flexibility and joint health, and the proportion of lean mass to fat mass discusses body composition rather than strength specifically. Each of these concepts plays an important role in a comprehensive fitness program but does not define muscular strength itself.