isotonic exercise
- noun
- /ˌaɪsəˈtɒnɪk ˈɛksərsaɪz/
- Specialized
- Strength training should consist of isotonic exercises, as this promotes joint mobility.
Examples
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Physical therapists often recommend isotonic exercise for rehabilitation because it helps strengthen weak muscles.
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Many athletes include isotonic exercise in their training routines to build strength and endurance.
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Performing isotonic exercises like squats can help improve muscle tone and stability.
How Mobile
- Specialized
- Specialized
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun phrase is compositionally clear: 'isotonic' describes a type of muscle contraction and 'exercise' names a physical activity, so together they mean exercise involving isotonic contractions. Although 'isotonic' is somewhat technical, if a learner knows that adjective, the combined meaning is directly derivable and parallels equivalent terms in other languages, making it transparent.
Etymology
Isotonic exercise comes from two parts: iso meaning 'same' and tonic meaning 'tension'. Picture lifting a weight: your muscle shortens or lengthens while keeping a steady pull, so isotonic exercise describes moves like squats or push-ups where the muscle changes length under constant tension.