Britannica AI Icon

Quick Summary

Physiological strength refers to the ability of muscles to exert force and perform tasks. This is achieved through resistance training, which increases muscle mass and improves blood flow to working muscles.1

Athletes sometimes use synthetic testosterone analogs to boost muscle development and strength. However, these anabolic steroids can lead to serious health issues, including heart disease, reproductive disorders, and liver damage.2

Hormones, particularly androgens (male sex hormones) and estrogens (female sex hormones), play a role in developing secondary sexual characteristics and influencing strength and sex drive. While androgens are linked to aggressiveness and strength, their effect on sexual drive in adult humans is complex and less pronounced than in other mammals.3

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.