Vasalva Manuever, Inter-abdominal pressure(IAP)and Abs

[Guest guest]

I have seen a lot written recently about the Valsalva manuever and

how increased IAP induces strength, apparently through nervous system

excitation. I wondered what some of the experts thought about the

debate of what to do with the adominal structure while holdings ones

breath, especially as it relates to the squat, etc. Louie

says push your abs out against a belt, and Dave Tate lists that as

one of those " newfound secrets " that suddenly caused his squat

poundage to take off. Colgan says suck it all in to get a

more stable mid-base through which to transfer power. P.

Tsatsouline, in " USAPowerlifting " this month says that they are both

wrong, with Colgan's theory being the more wrong. He says that

' method will increase strength but is not as good as building

ones own " abdominal belt " with strong ab and lower back muscles and

merely tightening the abs as if to recieve a punch.

I have found it difficult to do anything other than just brace and

tighten my abs while squatting, without pulling them in. Do you

scientists and coaches have experience or knowledge of good studies

on this issue?

Randy Marchant

Provo, Ut

[Guest guest]

Re: Vasalva Manuever, Inter-abdominal

pressure(IAP)and Abs

Randy Marchant wrote:

I have seen a lot written recently about the Valsalva manuever and

how increased IAP induces strength, apparently through nervous system

excitation.

Casler writes:

Hi Randy, This is a very interesting comment. What made you conclude that

the increased " strength production " during the valsalva created IAP, was due

to " nervous system excitation " ?

Do you have any concepts or information on what physiological path would be

operating to produce that result? That is, the path from IAP to greater

motor impulse/response?

Just curious.

Regards,

A. Casler

BIO-FORCE, Inc.

Los Angeles, CA