Re: Lessons from 2009?

[Guest guest]

I have a VHS tape of Tony Volpentest, the former World Paralympic Sprint

Champion, standing up as an infant and walking with his brother Art.

Clearly, this was a special " Bell and Howell " moment for the Volpentests.

What makes Tony's walking such a source of amazement is that Tony was

born without feet. What strikes me as I watch this tape is that Tony was not

'taught' how to walk or how to adjust for his disability. He just stood up

one day and starting walking.

And was this not the case for all of us, and our children? We learned

from trial and error how to balance ourselves. Was the same not true for

riding a bike, where our 'help' or instruction involved little more than

" facilitating the opportunity " ?

My question from 2009, which I'm not sure will be resolved in 2010, is

this: “Where do you draw the line between what is learned naturally and what

is taught technically?â€

Ross Tucker once described this as the " million dollar question. "

As Dr. Tucker pointed out, running, (which is my point of interest), is

" not an arbitrary skill like swinging a golf club or hitting a forehand down

the line in tennis. It's something that we progress to as children, and to

suggest that we default into incorrect is the big issue here. "

Dr. Tucker also notes the following: " Remember that humans used to run to

survive – either towards the food or away from becoming it! So running was

critical to survival – in fact, some of the best scientific papers on

running in recent years have come from anthropologists and sports scientists in

the USA looking at how humans are adapted to run – the skeleton, the

tendons, thermoregulation etc "

And that leads to Dr. Tucker's conclusion, which is similar to the one Mel

and Charlie reached several years ago:

" It’s difficult to fathom that millions of people, with different body

shapes and sizes and leg lengths and centers of gravity and joint angles could

fit into one single pattern or technique. "

So, will we come closer to resolving these issues in 2010?

Ken Jakalski

Lisle High School

Lisle, Illinois USA

[Guest guest]

I have a VHS tape of Tony Volpentest, the former World Paralympic Sprint

Champion, standing up as an infant and walking with his brother Art.

Clearly, this was a special " Bell and Howell " moment for the Volpentests.

What makes Tony's walking such a source of amazement is that Tony was

born without feet. What strikes me as I watch this tape is that Tony was not

'taught' how to walk or how to adjust for his disability. He just stood up

one day and starting walking.

And was this not the case for all of us, and our children? We learned

from trial and error how to balance ourselves. Was the same not true for

riding a bike, where our 'help' or instruction involved little more than

" facilitating the opportunity " ?

My question from 2009, which I'm not sure will be resolved in 2010, is

this: “Where do you draw the line between what is learned naturally and what

is taught technically?â€

Ross Tucker once described this as the " million dollar question. "

As Dr. Tucker pointed out, running, (which is my point of interest), is

" not an arbitrary skill like swinging a golf club or hitting a forehand down

the line in tennis. It's something that we progress to as children, and to

suggest that we default into incorrect is the big issue here. "

Dr. Tucker also notes the following: " Remember that humans used to run to

survive – either towards the food or away from becoming it! So running was

critical to survival – in fact, some of the best scientific papers on

running in recent years have come from anthropologists and sports scientists in

the USA looking at how humans are adapted to run – the skeleton, the

tendons, thermoregulation etc "

And that leads to Dr. Tucker's conclusion, which is similar to the one Mel

and Charlie reached several years ago:

" It’s difficult to fathom that millions of people, with different body

shapes and sizes and leg lengths and centers of gravity and joint angles could

fit into one single pattern or technique. "

So, will we come closer to resolving these issues in 2010?

Ken Jakalski

Lisle High School

Lisle, Illinois USA

[Guest guest]

I think I learned same old lessons and most important lessons was that to be

able to exercise you have to avoid injuries. Best strength training is the one

that you can do. If you break your back or injure your wrist - it takes you

backwards a lot with you training.

I hope I've gain some common sence - which ofcourse is all most impossible - as

I have not gain it in fifty years - it's hardly going to happen this year.

I think the idea might be just to step a little over the confortable level and

push just a little more during training ... and take a day off, when your body

signals you that this is too much. So max weight training should feel easy and

hypertrophy is allowed to be hard.

I started DUP and still working on the program. (Just have to modify it because

my wrist could not take it.) I aimed for 100 kg pench press for Christmas, but

goal is extended to next summer. (95 is current max.)

Hannu Leinonen

Jyvaskyla Finland

>

> So what have been the key lessons you have learnt from 2009 and how will you

apply those lessons in 2010? All areas including the theory and practice of

sports science, biomechanics, physiology, medicine and psychology in sport,

fitness and general health could be discussed.

>

> Thanks

> Carruthers

> Wakefield, UK

>

[Guest guest]

I think I learned same old lessons and most important lessons was that to be

able to exercise you have to avoid injuries. Best strength training is the one

that you can do. If you break your back or injure your wrist - it takes you

backwards a lot with you training.

I hope I've gain some common sence - which ofcourse is all most impossible - as

I have not gain it in fifty years - it's hardly going to happen this year.

I think the idea might be just to step a little over the confortable level and

push just a little more during training ... and take a day off, when your body

signals you that this is too much. So max weight training should feel easy and

hypertrophy is allowed to be hard.

I started DUP and still working on the program. (Just have to modify it because

my wrist could not take it.) I aimed for 100 kg pench press for Christmas, but

goal is extended to next summer. (95 is current max.)

Hannu Leinonen

Jyvaskyla Finland

>

> So what have been the key lessons you have learnt from 2009 and how will you

apply those lessons in 2010? All areas including the theory and practice of

sports science, biomechanics, physiology, medicine and psychology in sport,

fitness and general health could be discussed.

>

> Thanks

> Carruthers

> Wakefield, UK

>

[Guest guest]

1. Try to understand and get to " know thyself " otherwise you will always be

lost. Finding the optimal training, diet, etc will take a little trial and

error. Consequently, monitoring training is a vital step to understand how

effective the training process is and how the individual(s) is

adapting/responding to the various stimuli (Cardinale, 2008). " Goldie Locks and

the Three Bears " - find what is " just right " for you.

2. Create an atmosphere that promotes intensity and focus - i.e., competitive

arousal training. See comments from Dr Siff below.

3. Change the environment in which you train and or compete i.e., as LeRoux

noted lift on different platforms, lift facing different directions, lift with

the radio on, etc- learn to lift with distractions, learn to lift without

crutches.

4. Don't over coach.

5. From Verkhoshansky re regeneration and restoration: " the " rest " phases of

athlete could not be assimilated as interruptions of organism work, but they

have to be considered as organic part of the active process of organism

adaptation to the higher level activity regime.

According to the new methodological approach the main objective of researches

concerning the programming of training should be oriented to find means and

methods that could give an high training stimulus on organism and to use them

with the lowest possible volume of training loads. "

6. Motivated and driven athletes that sets them apart from

the average athlete is the main force in neglecting or suppression

important signals (Kraaijenhof, 2009).

7. Consider setting PROCESS goals instead of just outcome goals.

================

Carruthers

Wakefield, UK

We all know how the simple act of someone watching you execute a lift

can inspire you to perform better and how often you have managed a

lift easily simply because you were 'showing off' your prowess, so

how can we compare the results of subjects whose levels of

performance may be skewed by the presence or attitude of coaches or

onlookers? Very often, it is not the program of a personal trainer

that produces good results - the personality and motivational

qualities of the trainer may have a lot more to do with client

progress than exemplary use of " Arnie's arm routine " , " the HIT

secrets to success " , " the German cutting routine " , " the

supercalaphragilistic transversus scheme " or " the Russian work till

you drop regime " . In such cases, the mind matters more than the

matter itself.

We know that we can almost guarantee athletes and other clients better

results if we can create a training passion and strong dedication to

reach highly desirable, vividly visualised goals. We can also almost

guarantee failure if the person tries too hard. Why, then, do we so

often omit to mention the central role played by the mind in

determining the degree of success of any training program?

For example, if you visit Louie ' Westside barbell gym, the

presence of mindstuff is very palpable - a whole social and group

culture exists at Westside, which is just as important as the elastic

bands, chains and sleds, but so few folk mention that winning

ingredient - why? Is it because we cannot write neat little sets

times reps figures on small training cards for matters of the mind?

Does this suggest that the things which are not written down on a

training card are more important than the things that we do write

down?

The entire profession of sport psychology would not exist if the mind

did not play a significant role in sport, so why do we compare

programs and worry about the numerical structure of our workouts

without taking the mind into the overall equation as a central

players in the whole saga? Should our workout cards and logs not

contain a list of psychological 'things to do' as a formal part of

the prescription of exercise?....

-------------------------

ARE ATHLETES BURNING OUT WITH PASSION?

GUSTAFSSON, H., HASSMÉN, P., HASSMÉN, N.

KARLSTAD UNIVERSITY & SWEDISH WINTER SPORT RESEARCH CENTER, MID SWEDEN

UNIVERSITY

Introduction: Feeling passionate about sport may help athletes cope with the

demands of excessive training needed for a number of

years to become successful at the elite level. Passion is thereby seen as a

strong motivational force towards an attractive activity, possibly

to the extent that it becomes an integral part of the athlete's identity

(Vallerand et al., 2003). The concept of passion has been divided into

two forms: harmonious and obsessive. Although feeling passionate about sport

seems important from a motivational perspective, it may

increase the risk for burnout, which is a negative consequence blamed partly on

too much training and inadequate recovery (Gustafsson

et al., 2008). The question voiced in this study is whether the risk for burnout

is equally between harmoniously and obsessively passionate

athletes.

Methods: Participants were 94 female and 164 male competitive athletes from 21

sports. Passion was measured with the Passion scale

(Vallerand et al. 2003) and burnout with the Athlete Burnout Questionnaire

(Raedeke & , 2001). A one-way MANOVA was performed

to investigate potential differences between athletes categorized according to

type of passion (i.e., Harmonious vs. Obsessive) in the level

of burnout.

Results: A significant main multivariate effect was found: F(7, 250) = 4.85, p <

..0001. Follow-up analyses, using a Bonferroni adjusted

alpha level of .007, showed significantly higher burnout scores in the Obsessive

passion group than in the Harmonious group: Emotional/

physical exhaustion, F(1, 256) = 9.90, p = .002; Reduced sense of

accomplishment, F(1, 256) = 18.39, p < .001; and Devaluation of

sport participation, F(1, 256) = 14.12, p < .001.

Discussion: These findings strengthen the assumption that even though passion

may indeed be a vital part of elite sport; athletes scoring

high on obsessive passion may be at greater risk for developing burnout than

more harmoniously passionate athletes. One possible

explanation is that obsessive passion induces a more rigid form of persistence

(Vallerand et al., 2003). Interpreted positively, persistence

may increase the athletes' chance of reaching their full potential during the

competitive season, but rigid persistence can increase the risk

for negative outcomes such as the overtraining syndrome and burnout.

References

Gustafsson H, Hassmén P, Kenttä G, & Johansson M. (2008). A qualitative analysis

of burnout in elite Swedish athletes. Psychology of

Sport & Exercise, 9, 800-816.

Raedeke TD, & A L (2001). Development and preliminary validation of an

athlete burnout measure. Journal of Sport and Exercise

Psychology, 23, 281-306.

Vallerand RJ, Blanchard M, Mageau GA, Koestner R, Ratelle C, Léonard M, Gagné M,

& Marsolais J. (2003). Les passions de l'âme: On

the obsessive and harmonious passion. Journal of Personality and Social

Psychology, 85, 756-767.

===============================

>

> So what have been the key lessons you have learnt from 2009 and how will you

apply those lessons in 2010? All areas including the theory and practice of

sports science, biomechanics, physiology, medicine and psychology in sport,

fitness and general health could be discussed.

>

> Thanks

> Carruthers

> Wakefield, UK

>

[Guest guest]

1. Try to understand and get to " know thyself " otherwise you will always be

lost. Finding the optimal training, diet, etc will take a little trial and

error. Consequently, monitoring training is a vital step to understand how

effective the training process is and how the individual(s) is

adapting/responding to the various stimuli (Cardinale, 2008). " Goldie Locks and

the Three Bears " - find what is " just right " for you.

2. Create an atmosphere that promotes intensity and focus - i.e., competitive

arousal training. See comments from Dr Siff below.

3. Change the environment in which you train and or compete i.e., as LeRoux

noted lift on different platforms, lift facing different directions, lift with

the radio on, etc- learn to lift with distractions, learn to lift without

crutches.

4. Don't over coach.

5. From Verkhoshansky re regeneration and restoration: " the " rest " phases of

athlete could not be assimilated as interruptions of organism work, but they

have to be considered as organic part of the active process of organism

adaptation to the higher level activity regime.

According to the new methodological approach the main objective of researches

concerning the programming of training should be oriented to find means and

methods that could give an high training stimulus on organism and to use them

with the lowest possible volume of training loads. "

6. Motivated and driven athletes that sets them apart from

the average athlete is the main force in neglecting or suppression

important signals (Kraaijenhof, 2009).

7. Consider setting PROCESS goals instead of just outcome goals.

================

Carruthers

Wakefield, UK

We all know how the simple act of someone watching you execute a lift

can inspire you to perform better and how often you have managed a

lift easily simply because you were 'showing off' your prowess, so

how can we compare the results of subjects whose levels of

performance may be skewed by the presence or attitude of coaches or

onlookers? Very often, it is not the program of a personal trainer

that produces good results - the personality and motivational

qualities of the trainer may have a lot more to do with client

progress than exemplary use of " Arnie's arm routine " , " the HIT

secrets to success " , " the German cutting routine " , " the

supercalaphragilistic transversus scheme " or " the Russian work till

you drop regime " . In such cases, the mind matters more than the

matter itself.

We know that we can almost guarantee athletes and other clients better

results if we can create a training passion and strong dedication to

reach highly desirable, vividly visualised goals. We can also almost

guarantee failure if the person tries too hard. Why, then, do we so

often omit to mention the central role played by the mind in

determining the degree of success of any training program?

For example, if you visit Louie ' Westside barbell gym, the

presence of mindstuff is very palpable - a whole social and group

culture exists at Westside, which is just as important as the elastic

bands, chains and sleds, but so few folk mention that winning

ingredient - why? Is it because we cannot write neat little sets

times reps figures on small training cards for matters of the mind?

Does this suggest that the things which are not written down on a

training card are more important than the things that we do write

down?

The entire profession of sport psychology would not exist if the mind

did not play a significant role in sport, so why do we compare

programs and worry about the numerical structure of our workouts

without taking the mind into the overall equation as a central

players in the whole saga? Should our workout cards and logs not

contain a list of psychological 'things to do' as a formal part of

the prescription of exercise?....

-------------------------

ARE ATHLETES BURNING OUT WITH PASSION?

GUSTAFSSON, H., HASSMÉN, P., HASSMÉN, N.

KARLSTAD UNIVERSITY & SWEDISH WINTER SPORT RESEARCH CENTER, MID SWEDEN

UNIVERSITY

Introduction: Feeling passionate about sport may help athletes cope with the

demands of excessive training needed for a number of

years to become successful at the elite level. Passion is thereby seen as a

strong motivational force towards an attractive activity, possibly

to the extent that it becomes an integral part of the athlete's identity

(Vallerand et al., 2003). The concept of passion has been divided into

two forms: harmonious and obsessive. Although feeling passionate about sport

seems important from a motivational perspective, it may

increase the risk for burnout, which is a negative consequence blamed partly on

too much training and inadequate recovery (Gustafsson

et al., 2008). The question voiced in this study is whether the risk for burnout

is equally between harmoniously and obsessively passionate

athletes.

Methods: Participants were 94 female and 164 male competitive athletes from 21

sports. Passion was measured with the Passion scale

(Vallerand et al. 2003) and burnout with the Athlete Burnout Questionnaire

(Raedeke & , 2001). A one-way MANOVA was performed

to investigate potential differences between athletes categorized according to

type of passion (i.e., Harmonious vs. Obsessive) in the level

of burnout.

Results: A significant main multivariate effect was found: F(7, 250) = 4.85, p <

..0001. Follow-up analyses, using a Bonferroni adjusted

alpha level of .007, showed significantly higher burnout scores in the Obsessive

passion group than in the Harmonious group: Emotional/

physical exhaustion, F(1, 256) = 9.90, p = .002; Reduced sense of

accomplishment, F(1, 256) = 18.39, p < .001; and Devaluation of

sport participation, F(1, 256) = 14.12, p < .001.

Discussion: These findings strengthen the assumption that even though passion

may indeed be a vital part of elite sport; athletes scoring

high on obsessive passion may be at greater risk for developing burnout than

more harmoniously passionate athletes. One possible

explanation is that obsessive passion induces a more rigid form of persistence

(Vallerand et al., 2003). Interpreted positively, persistence

may increase the athletes' chance of reaching their full potential during the

competitive season, but rigid persistence can increase the risk

for negative outcomes such as the overtraining syndrome and burnout.

References

Gustafsson H, Hassmén P, Kenttä G, & Johansson M. (2008). A qualitative analysis

of burnout in elite Swedish athletes. Psychology of

Sport & Exercise, 9, 800-816.

Raedeke TD, & A L (2001). Development and preliminary validation of an

athlete burnout measure. Journal of Sport and Exercise

Psychology, 23, 281-306.

Vallerand RJ, Blanchard M, Mageau GA, Koestner R, Ratelle C, Léonard M, Gagné M,

& Marsolais J. (2003). Les passions de l'âme: On

the obsessive and harmonious passion. Journal of Personality and Social

Psychology, 85, 756-767.

===============================

>

> So what have been the key lessons you have learnt from 2009 and how will you

apply those lessons in 2010? All areas including the theory and practice of

sports science, biomechanics, physiology, medicine and psychology in sport,

fitness and general health could be discussed.

>

> Thanks

> Carruthers

> Wakefield, UK

>

[Guest guest]

>

> I think I learned same old lessons and most important lessons was that to be

able to exercise you have to avoid injuries. Best strength training is the one

that you can do. If you break your back or injure your wrist - it takes you

backwards a lot with you training.

>

Great points Hannu, a former Olympic 10,000 m runner (Jeff Galloway) once

said that ,,the

single greatest cause of improvement is remaining injury-free " . We agree, one

can have the best trainer in the world, the best training program as well,

it is worth nothing if one gets seriously injured.

Carruthers

Wakefield, UK

[Guest guest]

>

> I think I learned same old lessons and most important lessons was that to be

able to exercise you have to avoid injuries. Best strength training is the one

that you can do. If you break your back or injure your wrist - it takes you

backwards a lot with you training.

>

Great points Hannu, a former Olympic 10,000 m runner (Jeff Galloway) once

said that ,,the

single greatest cause of improvement is remaining injury-free " . We agree, one

can have the best trainer in the world, the best training program as well,

it is worth nothing if one gets seriously injured.

Carruthers

Wakefield, UK

[Guest guest]

Disc injury will end any athlete’s career.

This is something I have re-learned every year and this

year has been exceptional. I have treated numerous disc

injuries by both exceptional athletes and general fitness

enthusiast doing dumb things. A severe disc injury while

training to go the 1976 Olympics as an olympic

weightlifter ended my trip. I had already been given the

nod all I needed was a QT in the next international comp.

There are two very important concerns of how that injury

resulted which I have discussed in a past blog entry

(http://www.backsmith.co.nz/2007/09/05/how-i-blew-a-disc/).

Disc injuries do end your training goals thus I suggest

each athlete look very closely at what he/she is doing and

determine the risk/benefit ratio of every exercise. One

of my main goals over these years as a trainer, coach and

rehab specialist is to make athletes, across the scope,

aware of things that can get them in trouble. I have been

doing a series of blog entries discussing what I consider

“potentially dangerous exercises.” In weight training

particularly, there are numerous exercises which have been

handed on to each generation in which the risk/benefit

ratio is just not there. That is what I have addressed in

this past series. For anyone interested begin with this

link

(http://www.backsmith.co.nz/2009/09/01/potentially-dangerous-exercises-seated-ca\

ble-row)

and work up through the series of blog entries. I would

appreciate comments also.

BTW, my next entry is addressing 1RM insanity. I have

just learned that one of New Zealand’s top personal

training institutions is teaching PTs to have each new

client perform 1RMs on each of the exercises in the given

routine to see where each is at and then repeat

occasionally for goal setting. The insanity continues….

Dr J , MSc, DC

Whangarei, New Zealand

> So what have been the key lessons you have learnt from

> 2009 and how will you apply those lessons in 2010? All

> areas including the theory and practice of sports science,

> biomechanics, physiology, medicine and psychology in

> sport, fitness and general health could be discussed.

>

> Thanks

> Carruthers

> Wakefield, UK

>

>

[Guest guest]

Disc injury will end any athlete’s career.

This is something I have re-learned every year and this

year has been exceptional. I have treated numerous disc

injuries by both exceptional athletes and general fitness

enthusiast doing dumb things. A severe disc injury while

training to go the 1976 Olympics as an olympic

weightlifter ended my trip. I had already been given the

nod all I needed was a QT in the next international comp.

There are two very important concerns of how that injury

resulted which I have discussed in a past blog entry

(http://www.backsmith.co.nz/2007/09/05/how-i-blew-a-disc/).

Disc injuries do end your training goals thus I suggest

each athlete look very closely at what he/she is doing and

determine the risk/benefit ratio of every exercise. One

of my main goals over these years as a trainer, coach and

rehab specialist is to make athletes, across the scope,

aware of things that can get them in trouble. I have been

doing a series of blog entries discussing what I consider

“potentially dangerous exercises.” In weight training

particularly, there are numerous exercises which have been

handed on to each generation in which the risk/benefit

ratio is just not there. That is what I have addressed in

this past series. For anyone interested begin with this

link

(http://www.backsmith.co.nz/2009/09/01/potentially-dangerous-exercises-seated-ca\

ble-row)

and work up through the series of blog entries. I would

appreciate comments also.

BTW, my next entry is addressing 1RM insanity. I have

just learned that one of New Zealand’s top personal

training institutions is teaching PTs to have each new

client perform 1RMs on each of the exercises in the given

routine to see where each is at and then repeat

occasionally for goal setting. The insanity continues….

Dr J , MSc, DC

Whangarei, New Zealand

> So what have been the key lessons you have learnt from

> 2009 and how will you apply those lessons in 2010? All

> areas including the theory and practice of sports science,

> biomechanics, physiology, medicine and psychology in

> sport, fitness and general health could be discussed.

>

> Thanks

> Carruthers

> Wakefield, UK

>

>

[Guest guest]

Respectfully, I'm going to disagree with the idea of remaining injury-free being

the greatest single cause of improvement.

Improvement is caused by optimal or near-optimal training, restoration and

nutrition. This varies for athlete and sport.

Training includes technical, physical and psychological components. To me one of

the most important psychological components is preparation for the possibility

of injury and other setbacks. What do you attribute these negative effects to

and how do you deal with them.

The esteemed Dr. Siff posted an article written by Dimitri Ivanov, who

interviewed the great Russian weightlifter Vasili eyev. I quote eyev

from that article...

" It seems to me that some of the talented athletes lack one thing-- they haven't

had an injury. That's right! An injury that will put them out of commission for

a year during which time they'll have a chance to weigh everything. I, too,

would not be where I am if I had not injured my back. I suffered for a year and

a half thinking everything over ... After a misfortune, people pull through and

become, if possible, great people -- and sportsmen, in particular. Those who are

stronger find their way out and to the top ... "

While I don't advocate getting injured to improve, the point is that injury can

be viewed as opportunity. eyev focused on reviewing and made changes to his

training during this period. It strengthened his will and desire. He developed a

unique program of training that he followed upon resuming training - quite

different, as I understand, from the typical Russian coach of the time.

Hobman

Saskatoon, Canada

On 2010-01-03, at 1:25 PM, carruthersjam wrote:

>

>

>

> >

> > I think I learned same old lessons and most important lessons was that to be

able to exercise you have to avoid injuries. Best strength training is the one

that you can do. If you break your back or injure your wrist - it takes you

backwards a lot with you training.

> >

>

> Great points Hannu, a former Olympic 10,000 m runner (Jeff Galloway) once said

that ,,the

> single greatest cause of improvement is remaining injury-free " . We agree, one

> can have the best trainer in the world, the best training program as well,

> it is worth nothing if one gets seriously injured.

>

> Carruthers

> Wakefield, UK

>

>

[Guest guest]

Respectfully, I'm going to disagree with the idea of remaining injury-free being

the greatest single cause of improvement.

Improvement is caused by optimal or near-optimal training, restoration and

nutrition. This varies for athlete and sport.

Training includes technical, physical and psychological components. To me one of

the most important psychological components is preparation for the possibility

of injury and other setbacks. What do you attribute these negative effects to

and how do you deal with them.

The esteemed Dr. Siff posted an article written by Dimitri Ivanov, who

interviewed the great Russian weightlifter Vasili eyev. I quote eyev

from that article...

" It seems to me that some of the talented athletes lack one thing-- they haven't

had an injury. That's right! An injury that will put them out of commission for

a year during which time they'll have a chance to weigh everything. I, too,

would not be where I am if I had not injured my back. I suffered for a year and

a half thinking everything over ... After a misfortune, people pull through and

become, if possible, great people -- and sportsmen, in particular. Those who are

stronger find their way out and to the top ... "

While I don't advocate getting injured to improve, the point is that injury can

be viewed as opportunity. eyev focused on reviewing and made changes to his

training during this period. It strengthened his will and desire. He developed a

unique program of training that he followed upon resuming training - quite

different, as I understand, from the typical Russian coach of the time.

Hobman

Saskatoon, Canada

On 2010-01-03, at 1:25 PM, carruthersjam wrote:

>

>

>

> >

> > I think I learned same old lessons and most important lessons was that to be

able to exercise you have to avoid injuries. Best strength training is the one

that you can do. If you break your back or injure your wrist - it takes you

backwards a lot with you training.

> >

>

> Great points Hannu, a former Olympic 10,000 m runner (Jeff Galloway) once said

that ,,the

> single greatest cause of improvement is remaining injury-free " . We agree, one

> can have the best trainer in the world, the best training program as well,

> it is worth nothing if one gets seriously injured.

>

> Carruthers

> Wakefield, UK

>

>

[Guest guest]

I would propose that Vasili eyev simply did some thinking that should

have been done prior to the injury and which he could have well done without

the injury. While improvement is caused by optimal or near-optimal

training, restoration and nutrition, many, in an attempt to discover what

optimal

(or near optimal) is, go beyond, injure themselves and thus have a period

where they can train at no where near optimal levels.

Aldo Pedroso

Chicago, USA

In a message dated 1/4/2010 10:23:41 A.M. Central Standard Time,

keith.hobman@... writes:

Respectfully, I'm going to disagree with the idea of remaining injury-free

being the greatest single cause of improvement.

Improvement is caused by optimal or near-optimal training, restoration and

nutrition. This varies for athlete and sport.

Training includes technical, physical and psychological components. To me

one of the most important psychological components is preparation for the

possibility of injury and other setbacks. What do you attribute these

negative effects to and how do you deal with them.

The esteemed Dr. Siff posted an article written by Dimitri Ivanov, who

interviewed the great Russian weightlifter Vasili eyev. I quote eyev

from that article...

" It seems to me that some of the talented athletes lack one thing-- they

haven't had an injury. That's right! An injury that will put them out of

commission for a year during which time they'll have a chance to weigh

everything. I, too, would not be where I am if I had not injured my back. I

suffered for a year and a half thinking everything over ... After a misfortune,

people pull through and become, if possible, great people -- and sportsmen,

in particular. Those who are stronger find their way out and to the top ...

"

While I don't advocate getting injured to improve, the point is that

injury can be viewed as opportunity. eyev focused on reviewing and made

changes to his training during this period. It strengthened his will and

desire. He developed a unique program of training that he followed upon

resuming

training - quite different, as I understand, from the typical Russian coach

of the time.

Hobman

Saskatoon, Canada

On 2010-01-03, at 1:25 PM, carruthersjam wrote:

>

>

>

> >

> > I think I learned same old lessons and most important lessons was that

to be able to exercise you have to avoid injuries. Best strength training

is the one that you can do. If you break your back or injure your wrist -

it takes you backwards a lot with you training.

> >

>

> Great points Hannu, a former Olympic 10,000 m runner (Jeff Galloway)

once said that ,,the

> single greatest cause of improvement is remaining injury-free " . We

agree, one

> can have the best trainer in the world, the best training program as

well,

> it is worth nothing if one gets seriously injured.

>

> Carruthers

> Wakefield, UK

>

>

[Guest guest]

I would propose that Vasili eyev simply did some thinking that should

have been done prior to the injury and which he could have well done without

the injury. While improvement is caused by optimal or near-optimal

training, restoration and nutrition, many, in an attempt to discover what

optimal

(or near optimal) is, go beyond, injure themselves and thus have a period

where they can train at no where near optimal levels.

Aldo Pedroso

Chicago, USA

In a message dated 1/4/2010 10:23:41 A.M. Central Standard Time,

keith.hobman@... writes:

Respectfully, I'm going to disagree with the idea of remaining injury-free

being the greatest single cause of improvement.

Improvement is caused by optimal or near-optimal training, restoration and

nutrition. This varies for athlete and sport.

Training includes technical, physical and psychological components. To me

one of the most important psychological components is preparation for the

possibility of injury and other setbacks. What do you attribute these

negative effects to and how do you deal with them.

The esteemed Dr. Siff posted an article written by Dimitri Ivanov, who

interviewed the great Russian weightlifter Vasili eyev. I quote eyev

from that article...

" It seems to me that some of the talented athletes lack one thing-- they

haven't had an injury. That's right! An injury that will put them out of

commission for a year during which time they'll have a chance to weigh

everything. I, too, would not be where I am if I had not injured my back. I

suffered for a year and a half thinking everything over ... After a misfortune,

people pull through and become, if possible, great people -- and sportsmen,

in particular. Those who are stronger find their way out and to the top ...

"

While I don't advocate getting injured to improve, the point is that

injury can be viewed as opportunity. eyev focused on reviewing and made

changes to his training during this period. It strengthened his will and

desire. He developed a unique program of training that he followed upon

resuming

training - quite different, as I understand, from the typical Russian coach

of the time.

Hobman

Saskatoon, Canada

On 2010-01-03, at 1:25 PM, carruthersjam wrote:

>

>

>

> >

> > I think I learned same old lessons and most important lessons was that

to be able to exercise you have to avoid injuries. Best strength training

is the one that you can do. If you break your back or injure your wrist -

it takes you backwards a lot with you training.

> >

>

> Great points Hannu, a former Olympic 10,000 m runner (Jeff Galloway)

once said that ,,the

> single greatest cause of improvement is remaining injury-free " . We

agree, one

> can have the best trainer in the world, the best training program as

well,

> it is worth nothing if one gets seriously injured.

>

> Carruthers

> Wakefield, UK

>

>

[Guest guest]

I think the point is that you cannot have optimal or near-optimal training,

restoration and nutrition if you are injured and many athletes attempting

optimal or near-optimal training go beyond and injure themselves.

Aldo Pedroso

Chicago, USA

In a message dated 1/4/2010 10:23:41 A.M. Central Standard Time,

keith.hobman@... writes:

Respectfully, I'm going to disagree with the idea of remaining injury-free

being the greatest single cause of improvement.

Improvement is caused by optimal or near-optimal training, restoration and

nutrition. This varies for athlete and sport.

Training includes technical, physical and psychological components. To me

one of the most important psychological components is preparation for the

possibility of injury and other setbacks. What do you attribute these

negative effects to and how do you deal with them.

The esteemed Dr. Siff posted an article written by Dimitri Ivanov, who

interviewed the great Russian weightlifter Vasili eyev. I quote eyev

from that article...

" It seems to me that some of the talented athletes lack one thing-- they

haven't had an injury. That's right! An injury that will put them out of

commission for a year during which time they'll have a chance to weigh

everything. I, too, would not be where I am if I had not injured my back. I

suffered for a year and a half thinking everything over ... After a misfortune,

people pull through and become, if possible, great people -- and sportsmen,

in particular. Those who are stronger find their way out and to the top ...

"

While I don't advocate getting injured to improve, the point is that

injury can be viewed as opportunity. eyev focused on reviewing and made

changes to his training during this period. It strengthened his will and

desire. He developed a unique program of training that he followed upon

resuming

training - quite different, as I understand, from the typical Russian coach

of the time.

Hobman

Saskatoon, Canada

On 2010-01-03, at 1:25 PM, carruthersjam wrote:

>

>

>

> >

> > I think I learned same old lessons and most important lessons was that

to be able to exercise you have to avoid injuries. Best strength training

is the one that you can do. If you break your back or injure your wrist -

it takes you backwards a lot with you training.

> >

>

> Great points Hannu, a former Olympic 10,000 m runner (Jeff Galloway)

once said that ,,the

> single greatest cause of improvement is remaining injury-free " . We

agree, one

> can have the best trainer in the world, the best training program as

well,

> it is worth nothing if one gets seriously injured.

>

> Carruthers

> Wakefield, UK

>

>

[Guest guest]

I think the point is that you cannot have optimal or near-optimal training,

restoration and nutrition if you are injured and many athletes attempting

optimal or near-optimal training go beyond and injure themselves.

Aldo Pedroso

Chicago, USA

In a message dated 1/4/2010 10:23:41 A.M. Central Standard Time,

keith.hobman@... writes:

Respectfully, I'm going to disagree with the idea of remaining injury-free

being the greatest single cause of improvement.

Improvement is caused by optimal or near-optimal training, restoration and

nutrition. This varies for athlete and sport.

Training includes technical, physical and psychological components. To me

one of the most important psychological components is preparation for the

possibility of injury and other setbacks. What do you attribute these

negative effects to and how do you deal with them.

The esteemed Dr. Siff posted an article written by Dimitri Ivanov, who

interviewed the great Russian weightlifter Vasili eyev. I quote eyev

from that article...

" It seems to me that some of the talented athletes lack one thing-- they

haven't had an injury. That's right! An injury that will put them out of

commission for a year during which time they'll have a chance to weigh

everything. I, too, would not be where I am if I had not injured my back. I

suffered for a year and a half thinking everything over ... After a misfortune,

people pull through and become, if possible, great people -- and sportsmen,

in particular. Those who are stronger find their way out and to the top ...

"

While I don't advocate getting injured to improve, the point is that

injury can be viewed as opportunity. eyev focused on reviewing and made

changes to his training during this period. It strengthened his will and

desire. He developed a unique program of training that he followed upon

resuming

training - quite different, as I understand, from the typical Russian coach

of the time.

Hobman

Saskatoon, Canada

On 2010-01-03, at 1:25 PM, carruthersjam wrote:

>

>

>

> >

> > I think I learned same old lessons and most important lessons was that

to be able to exercise you have to avoid injuries. Best strength training

is the one that you can do. If you break your back or injure your wrist -

it takes you backwards a lot with you training.

> >

>

> Great points Hannu, a former Olympic 10,000 m runner (Jeff Galloway)

once said that ,,the

> single greatest cause of improvement is remaining injury-free " . We

agree, one

> can have the best trainer in the world, the best training program as

well,

> it is worth nothing if one gets seriously injured.

>

> Carruthers

> Wakefield, UK

>

>

[Guest guest]

Wow, that is insanity. Taking a raw newbie of any type out and kicking the tires

that hard is bound to be a serious problem. Considering one's clients do not

always " come clean " and tell you everything out of the gate, despite fancy forms

and interviews you hope they are performing before moving from the chair, you

really can't be sure of anything with someone out of shape!

With no indicator of joint soundness or conditioning of any sort, to take a

newbie out and push them to 1 rep max right away is NUTS. This is a recipe for

breakdown - and I wouldn't do it even to someone with a year's PL work behind

them. I'd rather see that person go to 3 rep max or 5 rep max, and use something

they can easily do for the first 2 attempts. I would NOT push further than 10

percent above the 3 rep max for a third attempt IF the new lifter was doing very

well.

Not only could these PT's blow people's backs and joints out, they may also blow

out a number of other things- the will to try to improve, for one thing. Some

people are downright depressed finding out how little they can do! And thus they

give up completely - say you get some old football player who did a certain

bench press weight. You show him he's incapable of doing half that - and see

where you are.

Form also is a huge problem with this philosophy of sending newbies out for 1

rep maxes, even with machines...

It is quite clear the school of thinking that is teaching this idea is not

paying the liability insurance for the graduates!

The Phantom

aka Schaefer, RMT/CMT, competing powerlifter

Denver, Colorado, USA

============================

Re: Lessons from 2009?

Disc injury will end any athlete’s career.

This is something I have re-learned every year and this

year has been exceptional. I have treated numerous disc

injuries by both exceptional athletes and general fitness

enthusiast doing dumb things. A severe disc injury while

training to go the 1976 Olympics as an olympic

weightlifter ended my trip. I had already been given the

nod all I needed was a QT in the next international comp.

There are two very important concerns of how that injury

resulted which I have discussed in a past blog entry

( http://www.backsmith.co.nz/2007/09/05/how-i-blew-a-disc/ ).

Disc injuries do end your training goals thus I suggest

each athlete look very closely at what he/she is doing and

determine the risk/benefit ratio of every exercise. One

of my main goals over these years as a trainer, coach and

rehab specialist is to make athletes, across the scope,

aware of things that can get them in trouble. I have been

doing a series of blog entries discussing what I consider

“potentially dangerous exercises.†In weight training

particularly, there are numerous exercises which have been

handed on to each generation in which the risk/benefit

ratio is just not there. That is what I have addressed in

this past series. For anyone interested begin with this

link

(

http://www.backsmith.co.nz/2009/09/01/potentially-dangerous-exercises-seated-cab\

le-row )

and work up through the series of blog entries. I would

appreciate comments also.

BTW, my next entry is addressing 1RM insanity. I have

just learned that one of New Zealand’s top personal

training institutions is teaching PTs to have each new

client perform 1RMs on each of the exercises in the given

routine to see where each is at and then repeat

occasionally for goal setting. The insanity continues….

Dr J , MSc, DC

Whangarei, New Zealand

> So what have been the key lessons you have learnt from

> 2009 and how will you apply those lessons in 2010? All

> areas including the theory and practice of sports science,

> biomechanics, physiology, medicine and psychology in

> sport, fitness and general health could be discussed.

>

> Thanks

> Carruthers

> Wakefield, UK

>

>