Some interesting position statements by the CSCS

[Stonecold54]

It is the position of the National Strength and Conditioning Association that:

1.Resistance exercises characterized by maximal or near maximal rates of force development or by high accelerations, usually referred to as "explosive exercises," are effective for enhancing physical performance. The statement is somewhat problematic but is still acceptable in a certain context

2.Explosive exercises may be necessary for optimal physical conditioning in some sports, particularly those involving high accelerations. THey cover their butts because they use the word "may" instead of being sure about their own position. Doesn't sound convincing.

3.In keeping with the principle of Specificity of Training, explosive exercises can be used to simulate movement patterns and velocity and acceleration patterns of many sports movements. This statement is problematic. In the first part they say it must keep with the Specificity of Training...Specific is specific there are no degrees. Either something is exact or it is different or merely alike, which will not lead to a carry over from explosive training.

4.Explosive exercises should be taught by experienced and knowledgeable instructors. This also is not problematic in itself accept in the context of what is being written about.

5.When properly taught and supervised, explosive exercises do not involve excessive risk of injury. what would cause an injury? Consider the example. Say a persons max dead lift is 300 pounds for one rep. The only way he could lift more would be to add outside momentum to the movement I.E. jerking, or invoking momentum....so what situation is more dangerous or in their words causes an an excessive risk? In the first instance, said individual pulls on 320 pounds in a slow gradual manner gradually increasing the resistance over a longer amount of time. However he cannot lift the weight since he is over his max and with good form his body will not allow him to lift it because by pure musclular effort he cannot. Now in the second situation the person relaxes the body and then in one effort pulls against the weight as much as possible. Which situation do you think involves excessive risk?

6.Reduction of athletic injury risks associated with participation in sports involving high rates of force development or high accelerations, probably require some training with exercises involving high rates of force development or high accelerations. I will refer to the above example. Explain how increasing the risk of injury will help decrease the risk of injury in said sport? Its like a police officer saying he needs to be shot at in training to reduce the chance he will be shot at in the field. Once doesn't have that affect on the other besides doubling the risk to the said person

[YellowJacket]

Im not sure whta youre saying? Or if youre sinply trying to knock the certification, if thats the case, youre going to have to go much further than that.... personal opinions do not hold any water.

[Stonecold54]

Originally Posted by YellowJacket

Im not sure whta youre saying? Or if youre sinply trying to knock the certification, if thats the case, youre going to have to go much further than that.... personal opinions do not hold any water.

lol...no I don't go knocking certifications for the fun of it. Its just that I read some of there "positions" after you posted up the site and the contradictions in there statments bugged me.

[shortz]

Stone, I see your points. I think they are valid. That said, you have to understand that new studies are constantly changing the information we go on and the CSCS statemenets made above are being nonspecific in some statements because of these changes.

I have to say that when I read #5, I had to chuckle for a moment. "...do not cause excessive injuries." After a moment of thought, I came to the conclusion that all exercise can cause some kind of injury and many heavy movements cause small injuries, some not noticable to you. I guess they meant excessive being multiple or permanant injuries.

[YellowJacket]

Theyre pretty self-explanatory to me. Read the book Essentials of Strength Training & Conditioning by Baechle & Thomas. Your training knowledge and conditioning knowledge will double, I promise. This is far and away the best book ever written on the topic and its ACSM and NSCA endorsed.

[NYCmitch25]

Go take the pratice questions he posted. Not easy.