How is relative strength defined?

Relative strength is defined as the maximum force that a muscle or muscle group can generate in relation to a person's body weight. This concept emphasizes the strength capability of an individual not just in absolute terms, but relative to their size, which allows for a better comparison of strength between individuals of different body weights.

For example, a lighter person who can lift a significant amount of weight relative to their body weight can be considered stronger in relative terms than a heavier person who can lift more weight but has a larger body mass. This measure is important in various fitness contexts, such as athletics, bodybuilding, and general fitness training, as it provides a more equitable way to assess strength across a diverse population.

Other definitions focus on total muscle strength without considering body weight, as well as the capacity of muscle groups to function in unison. However, those do not capture the essence of how body weight influences a person's strength capabilities, which is the key aspect of relative strength.