Zatsiorsky & squats for sprinters

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>From: CoachJ1@...

>Subject: Re: Upper body strength for sprinters

>Zatsiorsky believes that the results in these exercises will improve >to

>different degrees. The gains could be " substantial in the standing >jump,

>relatively small in sprint running, and nearly zero in >swimming. "

>It is interesting that his example was the squat, which seems more > " event

>specific " than the bench press, yet even this activity has a >small

>transference to sprinting.

>Ken Jakalski

>Lisle, Illlinois

I read, and like, Zatsiorsky's book. I do think however, that (at least in

the example of squats) that the idea they are not event specific enough is

misguided. They can have a very strong influence on the ability to start

(overcome intertia) and accelerate -- say through 20m or so. I believe this

to be true due to the ground contact times and the large ranges of motion

involved in the start and initial acceleration phase of the sprint.

It also depends on what ability level sprinter and what types of general

qualities the sprinter alreadny has. Among top-flight sprinters does 20-30k

more in the squat mean you'll run faster? for Maurice Greene and Ato Boldon,

maybe not. for Keli White and Obadele , maybe so. the strength has

to be blended in with technical aspsects as well.

Kebba Tolbert (kebba_t@...)

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Men's and Women's Jumps & Multis Coach

Syracuse University Track & Field

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