Danny O’Dell’s

Explosivelyfit Training News

Strength and power knowledge

15-June-07

ISSN: 1550-2643: Library Of Congress, Washington D.C.,

Welcome to this edition, I hope you enjoy the contents.

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Topic discussed:

Building the athlete

Planning a training program requires the coach to select exercises that will further the goals of the athlete. There are numerous decisions that must be made in this process. Some of these include whether to use free weights, machines, isometrics, static tension holds, body weight exercises, or Isokinetic equipment. Generally speaking strength training is planned around the classifications attached to the change in muscle length.

For instance, the exercise may be one of constant length, isometric in nature, or they may be concentric with the muscle fiber shortening as the exercise progresses. The opposite of concentric action is the eccentric contraction where the muscle lengthens during the movement. The latter two descriptions refer to isotonic muscle actions where ‘iso’ means constant and ‘tonic’, which in this case means tension.

Each of the methods relies on the biological fact that motor units exist and it is this existence that ultimately determines whether or not force will be produced. Every motor unit is made up of a motoneuron in the spinal cord and the fibers of the muscles it controls.

Development of the primary neurological - muscular system interplay connections largely determines whether or not power will be produced by the athlete. Even though muscle fiber size has an impact on strength and power, if the signals the nervous system sends to these fibers are not properly trained the result is less than would be expected.

On the other hand these same signals in the early stages of training are usually the reasons a beginner shows such rapid progress within the first six to eight weeks.

The building of an outstandingly superior athlete takes a bit longer and there are many considerations to be taken into account along the way.

Athletic development begins at the cellular level. The training cycles must be planned with care and consideration while keeping these points in mind:

The physiological make up of the athlete

The psychological make up of the athlete

The sport requirements

Each one will have an impact on the potential of the athlete and they need to be addressed in a comprehensive manner if the training outcome is to be successful.

That’s all for this time. I hope your training is going well and wish you happiness in your life.

Stay strong, and remain passionately committed to your hearts chosen path.

By Danny M. O’Dell, MA. CSCS*D

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