Explosive Lifting at Princeton University

ryover” to the athletic arena.

| uals that promote explosive lifting would have you believe that their philosoabsolutely no definitive, unbiased research to indicate that this is true. and that anyone who believes otherwise is misinformed, misguided or just plain stupid. methods. traditional “party line” thinking.

In reality, there are rather large numbers of highly qualified and completely competent strength the shot put. fering skills? Answer: icize the opinions of anyone who suggests that there might be a safer and more practical method It can’t. niques to their athletes. terpreted and misused. The principle states that your activities trolled thought. identical, not similar or just like. tions. cleans will only help you get better at doing power cleans and ter at doing lunges. complex motor skill. ceptable. this “research” might “suggest”

Tony Alexander, a 6'1" specific neuromuscular pattern. don't indicate anything.

Proponents of high speed movements argue that in order to become “explosive” you must train “explosive”. Their assumpforms all his repetitions with a controlled speed of elsewhere - - such as perfecting dribbling or wrestling techniques. two reasons. increases the internal forces encountered by a given joint; the faster a facts by saying, “so what? Sports are dangerous - - just look at football and wrestling. weight is lifted the greater these forces are amplified" should stop playing sports.”

Arguments like this miss the point entirely. sports are inherently dangerous.

However, using potentially dangerous techniques in the weight sion. bones or connective tissue. deliberate pace. entire 50 yards. course, it’s too late. running as fast as possible. tissues. because you gave it momentum. dangerous activities is like banging your head against the wall to prepare for a concussion.

When someone is described as being “explosive” on an athletic field, essentially what we are saying is that the athlete performs, moves or reacts quickly and forcefully. This is primarily due to the fact the athletes movement patterns for a particular skill are so firmly ingrained in his or her “motor memory” that there is little or no wasted effort. other words, it’s because the athlete is highly efÏcient at performing the intended sports skill - not because the athlete practiced effect occurs in the weight room. new?

Nope. bells, medicine balls or other stage props in search of nebulous concept like “speed-strength.”...0 The Author and his associates express their thanks to Dr. part. of Motion. are reduced accordingly. ment are more dangerous? with that of this magazine.

Secondly, explosive lifting can also be dangerous.

Allman, a past president of the American College of Sports Medicines states, “Many injuries Matt Brzycki is the Strength Coach and Health Fitness Coordinator at Princeton University. He has authored the book, A Practical Approach to Strength Training, which is in its second edition. He has authored more than 100 articles on strength and fitness, as well room.” as co-authored the book Conditioning for Basketball Here’s why: momentum to lift a weight increases the internal forces encountered by a given joint; the with Shaun Brown, Strength Coach for the University of Kentucky basketball team.

From BFS Magazine — Summer 1994. Part of the BFS Magazine Archive (1980–2014).