Supplementary Training Confusing?

[Guest guest]

Mel Siff:

The risk of overload injuries can increase, especially if the

loading is on the extremities rather than the trunk. If they really wish to use

added

resistance, then let them try sled pulling or even use parachutes or run in

water, either

using floating jackets or running on the bottom of the pool in waist high water.

However,

what they do should not be allowed to alter their optimal normal patterns of

running.

Dr. Siff,

Admittedly I know very little about motor learning principles but wouldn't

adding resistance impair the students running ability due to the fact that

running with weights/sled etc. is a different yet very similar skill to

'normal' running thus leading to 'motor confusion' (for lack of a better

word) when the students tried to run again without the added resistance?

[Mel Siff: It is very common for people to criticise supplementary training

because it is

not exactly similar to or simulates what one actually does in a given sport.

Supplementary training

is there to enhance various structural, motor, neural or metabolic qualities,

not to

imitate what happens in sport or teach specific motor skills. The only really

specific

training is provided by the sport itself, and that sort of " training " really is

called " practice " ,

a distinction which I emphasized quite recently. The skilled coach has to learn

how to

optimally integrate general and specific methods, as well as training and

practice. ]

Burroughs

USA

Running with Weights?

I am a high school strength coach in Pa. I think we have a

very solid strength program based on the works of Bill Starr we have won 59

games in 4 years.

My question I have some parents who insist on have kids do

more, such as running with wrist weight/ankle weights and vest with weights.

What are your thoughts on running with added weight on the body? I say they

will

overtrain. We have a great speed coach as well.

[Guest guest]

Mel Siff commented:

<It is very common for people to criticise supplementary training

because it is not exactly similar to or simulates what one actually does in a

given

sport. Supplementary training is there to enhance various structural, motor,

neural or metabolic

qualities, not to imitate what happens in sport or teach specific motor skills.

The only

really specific training is provided by the sport itself, and that sort of

" training "

really is called " practice " , ......>

I am taking an educated guess at the reason faddish stability work would not

be classed as supplementary training - is it because it could interfere with the

specific movement patterns that are needed for sport? OR is there an actual

place for gimmicks like the Swiss ball as a scientifically proven supplementary

training accessory?

Stephon Healey

London, UK