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Is there a single term (preferred) or two-word phrase (acceptable), possibly technical, though not necessarily so, that conveys the idea of a person having extreme strength and skill at stationary muscle control?

By this, I mean able to remain still in a stationary, possibly rather awkward, position for extended periods of time. Think of extreme yoga positions held for some extended length of time (granted, some of those one could not hold for too long; I'm thinking an hour or more, like this abdominal plank record).

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  • If there isn't a single word for "stationary muscle control" then it's unlikely that there will be a single word for skill at it.
    – DJClayworth
    Jun 23, 2015 at 16:26
  • @DJClayworth: Actually, this is more about finding a term for "stationary muscle control" itself (to me, having such control is itself showing an extreme strength/skill with one's muscles to remain in that fixed state for an extended period). I'm just not familiar enough with the discipline of yoga or other such activities to know if there is a term for this or not.
    – ScottS
    Jun 23, 2015 at 16:42
  • @DJClayworth: Just edited the question to convey that I see the skill of "stationary muscle control" as being a show of "extreme strength and skill," as I could see how I originally worded it could be misconstrued as to what I was seeking.
    – ScottS
    Jun 23, 2015 at 16:49
  • This is probably at least in part related to what Ayurveda and yoga call the kapha body type (kapha doṣa is one of the three doṣas, or humours, in Ayurvedic medicine), though there are many aspects of kapha that don’t necessarily relate to this.
    – Janus Bahs Jacquet
    Jun 23, 2015 at 17:09

2 Answers 2

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You're looking for a word to describe skill at isometric exercise.

From Wikipedia:

Isometric exercise or isometrics are a type of strength training in which the joint angle and muscle length do not change during contraction (compared to concentric or eccentric contractions, called dynamic/isotonic movements). Isometrics are done in static positions, rather than being dynamic through a range of motion.

I would suggest endurance or stamina or control though I don't think either would work without a modifier. e.g.

Her extraordinary control is demonstrated by the perfection of her plank position and the length of time she is able to maintain it.

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  • So: "isometric strength'?
    – Avon
    Jun 23, 2015 at 17:08
  • @Avon: I suppose one might say that. It conveys part of what the OP wants. It may be that the question boils down to "What is an adjective for combined strength and control?". Then he can just modify that with "isometric" and have done.
    – dnagirl
    Jun 23, 2015 at 17:15
  • Seems like extreme isometrics, or long duration isometrics may be the most widely known term(s) for what I am referring to.
    – ScottS
    Jun 23, 2015 at 17:28
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Tenacity

adj: tenacious

the quality or fact of being able to grip something firmly; grip.

Brawny

physically strong; muscular.

Endurance/stoicism

the ability to endure an unpleasant or difficult process or situation without giving way.

Source: Oxford Dictionaries

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  • None of these convey the idea to me--yes, the feats I linked to show some tenacious people with much endurance (not really brawny, though, which is more the idea of a weight lifter). But none of these convey the meaning of "stationary muscle control" of themselves (nor even well if combined together; they do not improve upon my original phrase).
    – ScottS
    Jun 23, 2015 at 16:46
  • I think endurance does (the others don't in my mind) and is the only word I can think of that does. +1 for endurance
    – Avon
    Jun 23, 2015 at 16:48
  • @Avon: Endurance, to me, is not specific enough. A marathon runner has endurance, so does a person caring for a loved-one in a coma, or person enduring the rigors of finishing medical school. The word has no inherent idea of muscle nor stationary, but only (to some extent) control.
    – ScottS
    Jun 23, 2015 at 16:56

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