blevunly
04-25-2008, 10:17 AM
Maximal Strength is the amount of force that one can exert under voluntary effort. This strength quality is seen during a powerlifting competition. Each athlete tries to lift the greatest amount of weight.
Explosive Strength is the ability to express significant tension in minimal time. Explosive strength is considered the strength quality most characteristic of athletic activities.
Reactive strength utilizes the SSC (stretch shortening cycle). The stretch flex begins with an eccentric phase, where the muscle lengthens under tension. During this phase, the body stores potentil kinetic energy. If a concetric action immediately follows the eccentric action, the kinetic energy will increase the strength of the concentric contraction. The stretch shortening cycle is similar to the action of a rubber band. When you stretch a rubber band (eccentric), you store energy. As soon as you release the band (concentric), the energy is utilized with a powerful snapping action. The stored energy created by the tension increases the strength of the following contraction.
Quoted from Never Gymless by Ross Enamait.
Max strength is the basis for all other strength qualities the higher it is the further your explosive strength can be ncreased. Your reactive strength increases your explosive strength through the stretch shortening cycle, allowing you to exceed your (concentric only) explosive strength limitation. Too much Max strength is a waste and the extra mass may hinder your performance. By too much I mean when your max strength greatly exceeds your explosive strength. If they are very close then an increase in Max strength is needed. Keep increasing your max or explosive strength based on how close/far they are apart. far apart = focus on explosive strength and close together = max strength.
A common misconception about explosive strength is that you should do a light weight for a bunch of reps, when in fact you should do very few reps because after a certain number of reps the explosiveness training turns into endurance training. Try and keep the reps below 6.
Explosive Strength is the ability to express significant tension in minimal time. Explosive strength is considered the strength quality most characteristic of athletic activities.
Reactive strength utilizes the SSC (stretch shortening cycle). The stretch flex begins with an eccentric phase, where the muscle lengthens under tension. During this phase, the body stores potentil kinetic energy. If a concetric action immediately follows the eccentric action, the kinetic energy will increase the strength of the concentric contraction. The stretch shortening cycle is similar to the action of a rubber band. When you stretch a rubber band (eccentric), you store energy. As soon as you release the band (concentric), the energy is utilized with a powerful snapping action. The stored energy created by the tension increases the strength of the following contraction.
Quoted from Never Gymless by Ross Enamait.
Max strength is the basis for all other strength qualities the higher it is the further your explosive strength can be ncreased. Your reactive strength increases your explosive strength through the stretch shortening cycle, allowing you to exceed your (concentric only) explosive strength limitation. Too much Max strength is a waste and the extra mass may hinder your performance. By too much I mean when your max strength greatly exceeds your explosive strength. If they are very close then an increase in Max strength is needed. Keep increasing your max or explosive strength based on how close/far they are apart. far apart = focus on explosive strength and close together = max strength.
A common misconception about explosive strength is that you should do a light weight for a bunch of reps, when in fact you should do very few reps because after a certain number of reps the explosiveness training turns into endurance training. Try and keep the reps below 6.