19世紀末健美運動創始人Eugen Sandow運用重物鍛鍊肌肉,成立健美學校,舉辦第1場健美比賽。Ben及Joe Weider兄弟1946年成立國際健美聯盟(International Federation of Body Builders, IFBB),制定比賽規則,現有183個會員國,每年舉辦2,500場比賽,成為健美領導者。競賽採體重分級,男選手包含7項指定動作與1分鐘自選動作,體型需具備腿粗、肩寬、背厚及腰細等特點,肌肉線條與低體脂亦為關鍵;女選手不含闊背肌展示,且保有柔美氣質。健美明星阿諾曾獲7屆奧林匹亞冠軍,極力推廣健美,引發熱潮。健美現為高度競技項目,選手長期訓練與飲食控制,塑造肌肉線條與低脂體態,需進一步研究訓練與營養科學,以增進運動表現。
Eugen Sandow, the founder of bodybuilding at the late 19th century, had applied weight lifting to train entire muscles. Sandow also established bodybuilding schools and hold the 1st bodybuilding competition. In 1946, Ben and Joe Weider founded the International Federation of Body Builders (IFBB) and established competition rules. Until now, IFBB owns 183 member countries and holds 2,500 body building contests annually, which make Ben and Joe Weider become the leader of international bodybuilding. International competitions adopted weight classes, and seven compulsory poses and one-minute selective posing were performed in man's contest. The excellent shapes of male bodybuilders should have strong thighs, wide shoulders, thick back, and extremely slender wrist. In addition, deeply muscle cut and very low body fat also are crucial for international man's contests. The woman's contests don't stress exploring muscle size, while it emphasizes the elegant and feminine temperament. Thus, the back poses are excluded from the compulsory poses of female athletes. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a superstar of bodybuilding, had won the professional champions of Mr. Olympia for seven times. Arnold have vigorously promoted bodybuilding and caused a fashion. So far, bodybuilding is a highly athletic sport. Elite bodybuilders have to suffer long-term tremendous physical demands, such as intensive training and low-fat diets, to achieve muscular cut and definition. More scientific evidences on training science and nutritional supplementation in elite bodybuilders should be warranted.