Which principle of exercise focuses on increasing workout demands gradually?

Progressive overload is the principle of exercise that emphasizes the gradual increase of stress placed upon the body during workouts. This concept is crucial for improving physical fitness and performance. When individuals consistently engage in physical activity, their bodies adapt to the current demands placed upon them. To continue making gains in strength, endurance, or overall fitness, it's important to incrementally increase the workload. This can be achieved by increasing weight, duration, intensity, or frequency of workouts.

For instance, if someone lifts weights, they will need to gradually increase the weight lifted to challenge their muscles further and promote growth and strength. This principle ensures that the body does not plateau in its fitness progress, as incremental adjustments keep the person progressing over time.

The other principles, while important aspects of a well-rounded fitness regimen, do not specifically address the need to gradually increase workout demands. Specificity refers to training for specific goals, balance emphasizes the importance of equal training of all body parts, and regularity highlights the necessity of consistent workout schedules. However, none of these concepts focus on the crucial aspect of increasing workout intensity gradually, which is the essence of progressive overload.