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Considerations in Athletic Performance Enhancement Training: How Much Strength Do Our Athletes Need?

Today’s post is an excellent guestblog by Rob Panariello. I won’t introduce Rob as I’ve interviewed him in the past and posted a couple of guestblogs from him in the past year or two. This is an important topic for strength coaches, and I really love how Rob blends together science and anecdotes which demonstrates good critical thinking and decision making methodology.

Considerations in Athletic Performance Enhancement Training: How Much Strength Do Our Athletes Need?

Robert A. Panariello MS, PT, ATC, CSCS
Professional Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy
Professional Athletic Performance Center
New York, New York

Throughout my 30-year career in in the fields of Sports Rehabilitation and Athletic Performance Training, I have spent thousands of hours in conversation with many good friends and mentors in the Strength and Conditioning profession. In a specific conversation that occurred in 2009 with renowned NFL and Hall of Fame Strength Coach Johnny Parker, he expressed his concern upon reading a newspaper article reporting an 800-pound squat performance by a collegiate football player. Coach Parker’s concern was the necessity of such a high intensity squat lift as a strength requirement for the game of football and is the risk of such a high intensity squat performance worth the reward? Certainly extremely high intensity loads are necessary in the sports of Powerlifting and Olympic Weightlifting, as the level of athletic achievement during these competitions is based upon the successful weightlifting performance of the heaviest loads possible. In regard to athletes who are not competitive weightlifters, but are utilizing weightlifting to enhance athleticism, is such a high intensity squat, as the previously mentioned 800-pound performance, necessary for an athlete such as a football, basketball, or baseball player?

Coach Parker and I then reminded each other of an incident that occurred during my years with working him at the old New York Giants stadium. At that time both he and I were also studying with a former Soviet Weightlifter and Soviet Coach, Gregorio Goldstein. On this particular day Coach Goldstein was also at Giants Stadium, where a Giant football player, David Meggett had just easily squatted 427 pounds at a body weight of 178 pounds. When asking Coach Goldstein how to make Megget stronger he replied, “You don’t have to make him any stronger, you have to make him faster”.  This comment had a profound effect on each of us to this day.

In a very recent discussion with another renowned Hall of Fame Strength Coach Al Vermeil, regarding a professional baseball player that I am presently training, I posed the question that I am often asked during the rehabilitation and/or performance training of an athlete,  “How much strength is enough?” How much strength does this professional athlete need to successfully play baseball at a consistent optimum level over a long season? This topic of conversation with these, and other legendary strength and conditioning professionals has enhanced my appreciation of this subject matter.

So the question is raised, how much strength is necessary for optimal athletic performance?

Strength

Strength may be defined as the ability of the neuromuscular system of the body to produce force as placing tension on skeletal muscles stimulates neuromuscular adaptations. Neuromuscular force generation may be either isometric or dynamic in nature, and has characteristics that would include a magnitude, a rate, and a direction.  It is this dynamic muscle force generation that results in movement.

Additional factors that will affect force production include the type of muscle contraction, as well as both the rate and degree of muscle activation. The significance of force production can be determined from Newton’s second law of motion:

Force = Mass X Acceleration (F= ma)

 

Therefore, the ability of an athlete to accelerate (a) one’s body mass (m) or an external object is highly dependent upon the musculature of the body to generate force (F). Additionally, power production is the product of force and velocity and, in the opinion of many researchers and strength coaches, the most important factor in determining athletic success in a majority of various types of sports of participation.

The neuromuscular strength characteristics to be considered for the achievement of optimal athletic performance include (a) maximal strength (MS), (b) explosive strength (ES), and (c) reactive strength (RS) qualities. The correct proportional development of these strength qualities during training is dependent upon the specific power type activity to be performed, i.e. football blocking, wrestling, running, jumping, track and field throwing events, sprinting, etc.… Athletic performance training programs that enhance MS, ES, and RS qualities will have an eventual transfer to the power activity (athletic) performance via the neuromuscular system of the body. MS training alone will improve neuromuscular force production, however, only through the combination of MS with either or ES and/or RS training, will ideal power type performances be achieved.

 

Strength and Power In Sports

 

From the perspective of athletic performance, many researchers and strength and conditioning professionals, are of the opinion that there are two particular variables of high significance to the contribution of optimal athletic performance. These two variables include the peak rate of force development (PRFD) or “explosive strength” and power output. The concept of explosive strength is directly related to the athlete’s ability to accelerate objects including body mass.

Work is the product of force and the distance that the object moves in the direction of the applied force (Work = Force X Distance). Power may be defined as the rate of doing work (P = force X distance/time). Power may also be conveyed as the product of force and speed (P = force X speed). Power may be evaluated as an average performed throughout an exercise range of motion or as an instantaneous value

occurring at a particular moment during the exercise range of motion or during the displacement of an object. Peak power (PP) may be defined as the highest instantaneous power value found over a range of motion while Maximum power (MP) is the highest peak power output an athlete is capable of generating under a specific set of conditions (i.e. type of exercise or skill performed).

The body’s neuromuscular contribution of a movement sequence that results in maximum achievable velocities primarily depends upon power production (i.e. a MS component in association with a velocity component).  Additionally, activities that require a display of “agility” i.e. change of direction and acceleration, are also dependent upon high “bursts” of power output.

Although it appears that the influence of power is critical for optimal athletic performance, it may be argued that maximum strength is the basic quality that affects power output. It may also be foreseeable, that MS would have a greater effect in sports of participation where the emphasis for the success of the sport is specifically to overcome maximal load intensities (i.e. Powerlifting, Olympic Lifting) followed by sports and activities requiring a high maximal strength component based on the nature of the sport as well as the position played (i.e. American football, rugby, track and field throwing events, sprinter’s starts, etc.…) However, it is important for a strength and conditioning professional to acknowledge that maximum strength appears to affect power in a hierarchical manner with a diminishing influence as the external load decreases to a point where other such physical qualities such as the rate of force development may become more important.

Muscle Stiffness and Elastic Strength

 

Lower extremity muscle stiffness is essential, as well as a prerequisite to ensure an optimal Stretch Shortening Cycle (SSC)/Plyometric type exercise performance. Plyometric (SSC) exercise performance improves RS qualities, as higher stiffness levels of the lower extremities during SSC exercise performance will result in an increase in the amount of stored (potential) and reused (kinetic) energy. There is a positive relationship between increased levels of leg and joint stiffness (the ability to resist flexion) and improvement in power, force output, rate of force production, and velocity parameters, as well as a very important decrease in amortization/ground contact times (GCT). A minimal GCT is essential for an ideal SSC resulting in optimal jumping, hopping, sprinting, and distance running (running economy) performance.

The stiffness of muscle is variable and is dependent upon the forces exerted. For example, a muscle is compliant when passive, yet stiff when active. Through various methods of training it is possible to maintain and/or enhance optimal levels of lower extremity muscle stiffness. Resistance training utilizing heavy load intensities (increasing MS levels) has been demonstrated to be a very effective way to enhance lower extremity and joint stiffness.

 

The “Strength Reserve”

 

During my recent conversation with Coach Vermeil he discussed an important phenomenon that he described as a “strength reserve”.  As an athlete participates in a long and grueling season, it is quite common for these athletes to lose their high initial levels of MS qualities that were present at the start of the season. Appropriate higher weight intensities in conjunction with specific and appropriate levels of exercise volume should be incorporated during the athlete’s off-season and in-season training in an effort to both increase (off-season) and maintain (in-season) athlete MS levels, as well as the benefits (force production) that are associated with high MS levels. Maintaining this important physical quality will assist to ensure repeated optimal performance over time. Coach Vermeil recommends an increase of maximal strength levels of 5% to 10% annually to establish and progress the athlete’s strength reserve during their playing season and career.

Coach Vermeil also explained how MS qualities are extremely important to the aging athlete. As the athlete ages MS strength levels play a more important role to ensure successful athletic performance. Athletes begin to lose their elastic strength qualities in their late twenties, thus the counter balance to the reduction of this elastic strength physical quality is the continued enhancement of MS values. The greater the amount of MS “banked” via years of strength training, the greater the athletes ability to maintain the “balance of the scales” so to speak, during the aging process where elastic abilities are lost and MS qualities are gained/stored.

In my discussions with Stan Bailey, a former Olympic Weightlifter who participated in two (2) Olympic games and is a coach at our Performance Center here in New York, he also spoke of the necessity of the development and maintenance of optimal MS levels. Coach Bailey is also of the opinion that as an athlete has an initial decline in their elastic strength qualities in their late twenties, they will also eventually begin to initially lose MS qualities slightly later in life. It is recognized that an athlete’s MS levels will begin to decline at approximately age 30. Coach Bailey’s opinion, based on his empirical experiences as both an Olympic Weightlifter and coach, is that MS levels are maintained slightly longer, until the age of 32. The consistent annual development or the “banking” so to speak of enhanced MS qualities over time, along with the associated benefits of MS qualities, will not only enhance an athlete’s performance during a long and physically demanding season, but perhaps also turn back the hands of time, providing an abbreviated “fountain of youth” so to speak, resulting in the fore mentioned offset of elastic strength loss resulting in a possible enhanced longevity of an athletes career.

The eventual loss of an athlete’s maximal and elastic strength qualities, as well as many other neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, and physiological qualities with age is inevitable. The initiation, timing, enhancement, and maintence of MS qualities may assist to delay this process.

The Relationship Between Strength and Sports Performance

 

It would make sense to derive that if athlete possesses greater levels of MS and/or power vs. their opponent, with all else being equal, the stronger athlete would have a distinct advantage over their opponent.  However, considerations for the necessary MS levels include but are not limited to the following:

Sport of Participation

Requirements of MS levels may differ depending upon the specific sport of participation. The physical requirements of each particular sport will assist to determine the various strength levels that are necessary for the participating athlete. For example, does a fencer need the same MS requirements as a football player?

Position of Sport Participation

 

As many athletes participate in the same sport of competition, the physical requirements based on their specific position or role of play may differ. Although an offensive lineman and wide receiver both participate in the same sport of American football, is the required proportion of physical qualities necessary for optimal athletic performance the same? Does the wide receiver need the same level of MS level as the offensive lineman?

Competitive Level of Sports Participation

 

Participation at various (and specific) levels of athletic competition may require advanced levels of MS parameters. An athlete’s MS requirement may considerably differ when comparing the demands of a professional athlete to that of an amateur athlete. The same may be said of the differences in the competitive “levels” of competition. For example, NCAA intercollegiate athletics are divided into three (3) divisions (levels) of competition, Division I, Division II and Division III. It could be derived that higher MS levels would be required for successful participation at the higher levels (i.e. Division I athletes vs. Division II athletes vs. Division III athletes) of athletic competition.  It has been documented that differences in the displayed MS and power levels do exist when comparing the strength and power characteristics of intercollegiate Division I, II, and III football players.

Standards of Competition

 

There are levels of strength that are necessary, not for guaranteed success, but as criteria to allow (qualify) an athlete to compete. This is certainly common in Powerlifting and Weightlifting, but is very important in other sports of participation as well. I recall a conversation with an Olympic Track and Field throws coach who stated that in the three previous Olympic games, all medaling shot-putters had bench pressed at least 440 pounds. If this statement is held true, then an athlete would have to enhance their MS in the bench press to at least 440 pounds to compete for a medal, not guarantee them a medal.

The same may be said of various professional sports annual combines. Based upon the participating athletes displayed levels of various strength qualities, they are evaluated against their peers based on a standardized level to predict performance and athletic success. The athletes competing at these combines must meet or surpass specific “physical” standards for consideration as not only a possible draft selection, but what specific level of draft selection by the professional teams of the league.

 

“Staying Fresh” vs. “Staying Strong”

 

There are often times during the competitive season where a Head Sport Coach or Strength and Conditioning Professional will make the statement “We need to keep our players fresh”. Frequently this means having the players rest, or perform workouts at low sub-maximal intensity levels as not to “wear the players out” so to speak. There are certainly times through a long and physically taxing season where such a thought process may be feasible under specific scenarios, however, to adhere to this philosophy for a significant extended period of time may prove costly.

For an athlete to avoid appropriately planned and timed periodic high intensity, low volume training in-season, will contribute to a deconditioning of the athlete and a forfeiture of the MS and power qualities processed at the initiation of the season.

Coach Parker in-season weight programs placed emphasis of not only maintaining MS and power qualities during the season, but also improving these physical qualities as the season progressed.  During one of his NFL Super Bowl bound team’s seasons, 35 of his players performed a PR in at least one lift during the same playoff game week. The in-season program design is beyond the scope of this writing, however, the lesson presented is that (a) there is a distinct difference between “staying fresh” and “staying strong, and (b) in-season MS and power quality enhancement can occur.  Maintaining and/or enhancing an athlete’s strength qualities in-season is what will keep the athlete “fresh”.

There are certainly a number of factors to consider during the instrumentation of an in-season training program. A sport such as football may present a more organized structure for training as only one competition is scheduled per week, vs. the multiple competition’s scheduled per week in sports such as baseball, basketball, and hockey. However, there are strength coaches in these for mentioned sports, such as Coach Vermeil, who programed appropriate high intensity exercises not only during the in-season, but prepared his athletes with appropriate intensity and low volume workouts on game day as well.

Maintaining, if not improving MS and power qualities during the in-season may be one of the few advantages that an athletic team may have over their opponent in the present era of advanced athletic performance enhancement training.

Training Time

 

Discussions with former NFL and Hall of Fame Strength Coach Al Miller and Strength Coach Derek Hansen brought to light the relationship of excessive MS training in regard to the time considerations available for the athlete’s training. In addition to the “risk vs. reward” contemplation during the application of increased high intensities for exercise performance, the time available for training is an additional factor that should not be ignored.  Organizations such as the NCAA place restricted time allotments for the training of an athlete. The athlete’s work capacity or their resistance to excessive fatigue is also a factor of suitable programming (training time). The question arises if additional training time is spent to increase MS qualities that may not be necessary or excessive, is there enough training time remaining to properly train the other important physical qualities necessary for the athlete to produce optimal and repeated athletic performance? Training time restrictions, in association with the athlete’s work capacity to performance train efficiently, are definitive considerations in the program design for the enhancement of multiple strength qualities that are necessary for high level athletic performance. Unnecessary emphasis of MS qualities may result in an absence of sufficient training of other important strength qualities.

 

Summary

 

Maximal Strength is a basic and important characteristic for improving athletic performance. However, MS qualities in association with power type qualities are essential for the achievement of optimal athletic performance. A MS strength reserve is a contributing factor to maintaining athletic performance throughout a long season, as well as enhancing the longevity of an athlete’s career. During the application of high intensity exercise the “risk vs. reward” must also be considered, as excessive high intensity loads may place the athlete at increased risk of injury. The appropriate and proportionate level of MS necessary for each individual athlete is contingent upon a multitude of factors, and includes the “eye of the coach”, likely the most essential factor in determining the MS level necessary for the athlete. It is the coach’s eye, which is the “talent” that separates the great coaches from the good ones.

Bibliography

 

1. Fry, AC and Kraemer WJ, Physical performance characteristics of American collegiate football players. Journal of Applied Sports Science Research 5 (3): 126 – 138, 1991

2. Hansen, Derek personal communication

3. Komi, PV, Stretch-shortening cycle. In: Strength and Power in Sport (2nd ed). Oxford, United Kingdom: Blackwell Science, pp. 184 – 202, 2003

4. Lyttle, AD, Wilson, GJ, and Ostrowski, KJ, Enhancing performance; maximal power versus combined weights and plyometrics training. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 10(3): 173 – 179, 1996.

5. Miller, A., personal communication

6. Parker, J., personal communication

7. Stone, MH, “Explosive Exercise” National Strength and Conditioning Association Journal, 15 (4): 7 – 15, 1993

8. Vermeil, A., personal communication

9. Zatsiorsky, VM, and Kraemer, WJ, Science and Practice of Strength Training. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, pp. 33 – 39, 2006.

28 Comments

  • Very good post, Rob!

    Strength reserve, IMO, is one of the biggest benefits to getting stronger for sports… I’m glad you emphasized that in this piece.

    Getting stronger than necessary is well, unnecessary. 🙂 And as you mentioned, you have to consider the risk:reward – good point for sure! However, with the majority of athletes that play so many games in the off-season (at the high school level at least), getting “too strong” is rarely a concern since they spend way too much time (IMO) playing, playing, playing games (basketball, baseball, for example). Just getting these athletes to be able to perform a bodyweight lunge can be a challenge (I’m exaggerating… but only by a little).

    Once again, GREAT piece!

    Danny

  • Andy... says:

    How can an increase in muscle/joint/tendon stiffness be beneficial for elastic strength?. Won’t connective tissues/tendons stretch less? therefore store less energy to propel the body forwards?.

    • I’m also confused about this.

      Getting stronger as the athlete ages to compensate for decreased elasticity? Can you please clarify why this approach is taken?

      Is it possible to focus on methods that preserve/improve elasticity? If so, why wouldn’t these be the focus? If not, why not?

      • Andy... says:

        I don’t understand how a stiff rubber band can store more energy than one that stretches more?. I’m probably missing something so hopefully someone can enlighten me.

        • mike says:

          this may not correlate to the body or it might not even answer your question, but… pick up a strong stiff rubber band and shoot it across the room and then pick up the one that stretches easier and try… obviously the one that stretches easy has less power behind it and doesn’t go as far. I don’t understand the confusion behind that.

    • Jon says:

      Andy,

      Higher joint stiffness facilitates higher rates of force development in a limb extensor mechanism like triple extension of the leg. However since limbs operate on arcs around the proximal joint (e.g hip) stiffness should always be optimal and timed to allow appropriate directing of extension forces. E.g a super stiff leg spring might cause problems on landing during running (high hip extensor torques might reduce the problem)

      Higher active muscle stiffness reduces muscle length change and drives greater length change in the tendon, facilitating energy storage.

      The slingshot example used by others here is appropriate, but the key issue has been omitted. A stiffer elastic band will fire an object further, but only because you applied more force to it to cause it to stretch. Stiffer tendons are necessary (elite sprinters have chunky stiff tendons) but their use is dependant on higher forces being delivered to make them stretch. So again, depending on how heavy the athlete is, how much muscle force is available, and the nature of loading in the task, there is always an optimal stiffness level.

      • Bret says:

        Hi Jon, great to have you comment on here. I agree about there existing an optimal stiffness level.

        I wrote this blogpost in 2010 and I think that the pictures help illustrate your point about the arcs:

        http://bretcontreras.com/2010/08/stiffness-what-is-it/

        Cheers, Bret

      • Rob Panariello says:

        Jon,

        Analogies are often utilized to assist in the explanation of a concept; unfortunately they usually do not include the scientific basis of a concept. In my blog post the “Muscle Stiffness and Elastic Strength” section was only trying to relay the concept of the positive correlation of strength enhancement to “stiffness” as you describe. Your statement of “optimal stiffness levels” is well put as the article was also just simply trying to evoke a thought process of the “optimal” strength levels necessary for various types of competing athletes.

        Thank you for your post

  • Jeremy says:

    That was a great article.

  • Bret says:

    Guys, stiffness is actually a poorly understood topic and there’s some conflicting research. The way I’ve always heard it explained is to imagine a beach ball and a solid rubber ball. Throw them both against the ground and the rubber ball (the stiffer object) will go much higher. There will be some interesting research coming out next year on stiffness but I’m not permitted to talk about it as it’s not yet published.

  • Jordan says:

    Fantastic post. Great job all around

    -J

  • Rob Panariello says:

    Andy,
    The analogies that both Mike and Bret make re: rubber band and the balls are good general concepts regarding “stiffness”. To add to Bret’s analogy if you threw both balls down a track, the solid rubber ball would cross the finish line first.

    Nick,

    Let’s say you’re performing an in-depth jump from a specific height and upon landing, you are immediately jumping over a standard height hurdle. Upon ground contact you will immediately reverse your direction (from descent to ascent) by jumping quickly, after ground contact, over the hurdle utilizing a SSC (elastic strength component). You will note that there will be (a) a low ground contact time and (b) not much lower extremity joint(s) flexion to perform this task successfully.

    Now let’s say you land from your in-depth jump and assume a deep knee bend position while “pausing” in this deep knee bend position prior to “squat jumping” over the hurdle. By assuming a deep knee bend position as well as pausing at this deep squat position, you are eliminating the elastic strength component of the jump (SSC) and clear the hurdle utilizing a different (maximum strength) physical quality effort. The same successful task was achieved i.e. clearing the hurdle, but the emphasis of the strength quality utilized to succeed in jumping over the hurdle was different. The same could be said of the different strength qualities utilized in sprinting i.e. the start vs. top speed.

    As we age our various strength qualities decrease, not over night, but over time. Elastic strength (power) qualities decline over time prior to maximal strength qualities due to the changes that occur at the tendon vs. muscle with aging. There are less professional athletes in their mid-thirties vs. when compared to the number of professional athletes in their mid-twenties for a reason, even though the players in their mid-thirties probably have more experience and knowledge.

    Just as in the hurdle example above, depending upon the task at hand, success may still be achieved (for a period of time) by replacing the elastic strength quality loss, with maximal strength quality gains. However, father time eventually catches up with everyone.

    I hope this helps

    Bret I am certainly interested in the research of which you are speaking.

  • Andy... says:

    I’m not sure the beach & rubber ball are good examples. How about 2 hand held slingshots (catapults)?. (Think Achilles tendons). Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slingshot. If you was to replace the elasticated pull-backs with steel wire (stiffness) this would obviously affect the power for the projectile or body.

    Take the Achilles. If I increase muscle stiffness through isometric seated calf raises, surely your stiffening the tendon (turning them into steel wires)?, hindering the projectile (body) & elastic potential.

    • Cory says:

      Andy,
      Let’s think about this another way…when you are able to preactivate you muscles upon landing, your tendon will stretch and recoil, providing a large boost in power due to its high elasticity. When you are unable to preactivate to the same degree, you will lose a lot of energy through the stretching of the muscle tissue at the same time as the stretching of the tendons. That is why having less strength makes you less ‘elastic’…
      Hope this makes sense.

      Rob,
      Fantastic article!

      Cheers,
      Cory Kennedy

  • Rob Panariello says:

    Andy,

    Generally speaking, let’s use slingshots as an example. For clarity, remember we’re speaking of muscle and tendon stiffness, and not something as “unforgiving” as steel or cement. You wouldn’t make a sling shot with steel wire instead of rubber band would you? Let’s compare a slingshot where the rubber bands were more “flexible” (stretched out) vs. a sling shot where the rubber bands were comparably “stiffer”. As you stretched both rubber bands to the same length and released them, wouldn’t the “stiffer” rubber band project the projectile further? The sling shot with the stiffer rubber band would produce greater tension/force, no?

    In regard to the Achilles tendon, that’s the perfect subject for discussion. The Achilles tendon is a prime contributor to ground surface area (SSC) force production. However, don’t just look at the Achilles tendon; look at the lower extremity as a whole. If muscles of the lower extremity are strong and produce the necessary “stiffness” to stabilize the joint(s) of the lower extremity to minimize/resist a “flexion” component (stretching of the muscle) upon ground contact, then the (Achilles) tendon must stretch optimally. A tendon is the primary source for elastic (SSC) energy resulting in force production.

    If muscle “stiffness”/stabilization is insufficient/absent, and excessive/increased joint(s) flexion occurs, then instead of an “elastic” reaction to the ground surface area (via a stretched tendon), you would have absorption of force (by the prolonged eccentric contraction of muscle(s) ) resulting in a greater ground contact time and have less energy available for an elastic response to occur.

  • Andy... says:

    Rob, You state: “As you stretched both rubber bands to the same LENGTH”. No, one has the ability to stretch even more (added length). That being the case, which rubber band/slingshot would project the projectile furthest?. Would it be the “stiffer” rubber band or is it the “compliant” rubber band which you can stretch more?.

  • Rob Panariello says:

    Andy,

    In your previous post you asked about “How about 2 hand held slingshots…” so my analogy was based on your request of 2 hand held slingshots. My response was based on the same stretched length of 2 different types of slingshot rubber bands (having a consistent variable) one flexible (compliant) the other sling shot with the “stiffer” (less compliant) rubber band”. To answer your question at the same length of displacement the stiffer runner band would project the object the furthest.

    I’m not sure I understand your statement about anyone adding length to a slingshot?

  • Bret says:

    Guys, I have a bunch of papers on stiffness along with new research just this month (and there’s an awesome study coming out later this year hopefully but I can’t share anything about it until I the paper is accepted) and eventually I’ll write it up and present what we know and don’t know about stiffness. Just so busy at the moment! – BC

  • Tim says:

    Great article Rob, the whole “we need to keep the players fresh” mentality is rampant. When I suggest putting together a strength and conditioning program in-season I get looks like I have three heads. Thanks for this resource to maybe convince some.

  • Blaine says:

    There is some great content in this article, but it seems to be an unnecessarily complex way of saying that proper periodization is good for athletes. You could rewrite half of it by saying that overload is important in both the short and long term, that power output will decrease if the athlete is allowed insufficient rest or spends too much time away from training, and that in athletes past their thirties must more strictly adhere to a proper program if they wish to maintain plyometric ability.

    The real gem here is the quote from the soviet coach: “you do not need to make him any stronger, make him faster.” because it highlights the importance of maintaining a balanced and sports-specific training regimen for optimal athletic performance, which seems to be the main focus of the article. Thankfully this isn’t the easiest task around, and it’s pursuit is what makes great coaches!

  • Blaine says:

    Also, you might help your understanding of muscle elasticity and plyometric training by reading up on proprioceptors (muscle spindles and Golgi tendon organs) as they are the driving neuromuscular agents in plyometric training, or the Stretch Shortening Cycle. Reading about them helped me understand far better than metaphor or analogy!

    • Bret says:

      Blaine – who do you mean by saying “you?” I teach a master’s course titled “Enhancing Muscular Performance” where we go over muscle spindles, GTO and all about the SSC. Still doesn’t mean we know all there is to know about stiffness.

  • Blaine says:

    Oh, sorry. I edited the post and it was initially addressed to Andy! I apologize if that sounded arrogant, wasn’t my intention.

    • Bret says:

      No worries Blaine, just was wondering. I really need to post an article on stiffness now that I see how it’s drummed up a bunch of curiosity. And the good news is that I consider my good buddy here in Auckland, Matt Brughelli, to be one of the world’s experts on the topic so I’ll pick his brain before writing it.

  • Andy... says:

    Rob, You state: “To answer your question at the same length of displacement the stiffer rubber band would project the object the furthest”.

    If compliance refers to the ability of the tendon/rubberband to stretch out more with less resistance through a much larger range of motion than a stiff tendon/rubberband, this would surely allow for a greater increase in elastic energy storage?.

    My observation is based on 2 slingshots, same brand, same elastic material, BUT one stretches more than the other. If one stretched 2 inches, the other stretched 5 inches, both maximally tensioned, which would fire the projectile the furthest?.

  • Rob Panariello says:

    Andy,

    I’m not sure I understand your post. My statement of analogy is that with all being the same, the material composition of the slingshot handles of the slingshot, the material composition and resting length of the rubber band; etc… the single difference in “stiffness” will assist in an optimal performance.

    What I don’t understand with your statement of “My observation is based on 2 slingshots, same brand, same elastic material, BUT one stretches more than the other. If one stretched 2 inches, the other stretched 5 inches, both maximally tensioned, which would fire the projectile the furthest?”

    If the slingshots are the “same brand” as you state, i.e. the same material composition of the handles, elastic material of the rubber bands, same resting length, etc… and both are maximally tensioned (i.e. the same amount of applied force to stretch the rubber bands), how is it possible to have a 3 inch difference in the stretched length?

  • Andy... says:

    You state: How is it possible to have a 3 inch difference in the stretched length?.

    Because when you go to the store to purchase catapults, the pull-backs all come in different ranges of tensions. Some I have seen can be pulled back 15′. Some of them can only can be pulled back a few inches. I’m trying to figure out which catapult allows for a greater increase in elastic energy storage, the catapult which can be pulled back 15′ or the one which can only be pulled back 3′?. Which one fires the projectile the furthest?.

    You might say there is a very long rubber band/catapult in the body, from the lumbodorsal fascia which directly connects the Gluteus maximus and the Latissimus dorsi right down to the Achilles/plantar fascia. Your training will surely judge how compliant or stiff your going to make this “rubber band” (elastic potential).

    I really need the answer to the “15′ or the 3′”? first, and 2. From the lumbodorsal fascia to the plantar fascia, is it compliance or stiffness where looking for to optimize elastic potential, considering the answer to the 1st question?.

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