Re: Conjugate?

September 13, 2007

According to Matt Wenning, director of training at Westside:

*QUOTE*

Conjugate system in OUR terms means to attack many different

strengths, and many different exercises to increase on the main task,

which in our case is the squat bench and deadlift. We use various

means to achieve a goal of top strength in these areas. So I suppose

our definition of conjugate system would say, Using various means to

achieve a goal. (This is in one of A.S. Medvedyev's books calling a

conjugate system as well). But it does not look anything like Prof Vs

sequencing.

*END QUOTE

I will have to re-read Medvedyev to see how exactly he calls the

system. Medvedyev is one trainer which recommends a very wide

selection of means in his piece-meals for weightlifters.

Westside Barbel is often imitated / copied by many trainers , but

surprisingly, none of those ppl seems to understand the system, nor

they are aware of the different interpretation given to the term

" conjugate " , nor by what means " conjugate sequence system " as a

method of organizing the training.

Respectfully,

Dan Partelly

Romania

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

>

> Does anyone know how Westside Barbell programs came to use the term

> conjugate?

>

> I recently read through Verkoshansky's latest text and the way he

> describes the conjugate (coupled succesive)system.

>

> The way I understand it is an advanced training sysem beyond that of

> concurrently training different strength qualities in a microcycle.

> The system would train different strenth qualities unilaterally for

> a couples of weeks in a row. A transition/unloading week between

> this phase and the next phase will involve both of these qualites.

> For example:

>

> Week 1: work capacity (medium volume)

> Week 2: work capacity (heavy volume)

> Week 3: work capacity/maximal strength (light volume)

> Week 4: maximal strength (medium volume)

> Week 5: maximal strength (heavy volume)

> Week 6: maximal strength/speed-strength (light volume)

> Week 7: speed strength (medium volume)

> Week 8: speed strength (high volume)

>

> This is different than concurrently training these qualites in a

> week. Westside's version of conjugate seems to be concurrent. I

> have read that exercise rotation is also part of their conjugate

> methodology. These two definitions of conjugate seem to be at odds

> with each other.

>

> Can anyone shed some more light on this?

>

> many thanks

> Matt Barr

> London, Ontario, Canada

>

> [Mod: Do refer to Dr Verkhoshansky's website (www.verkhoshansky.com)

> and Bondarchuk's new book.

>

> Prof. Yuri Verkhoshansky wrote on his website:

>

> Uou thought right, in my works there are not the concept of

" conjugated periodization " as used by powerlifters at westside barbell " .

>

> It's also right what Dan Partelly wrote, I introduced the

" conjugate-sequence system of training loads organisation " (Block –

system) for Olympic sport athletes. It's absolutely another thing

from the " conjugated periodization " of . I agree with Dan:

" Westside is not actually the " conjugated sequence system " . Westside

looks to me more a concurrent method which borrows some features

from other systems " .

> May be used some concepts from my other works, probably

he applied some concepts of the " complex method " (see article

" Supermethods " ).

> In this case the 's method could be effective for high level

power lifters.

> It's very difficult to express a serious opinion about this matter

because in the articles of Tate there are not evidence of

scientific verifications of its results.

>

> Prof. Yuri Verkhoshansky

>

> -----------------

>

> You asked me to express my opinions about 's " conjugate

periodisation " and not about the coach , for whom I have

no doubts, he is a grate coach.

> I am afraid we are pointing to different meanings for the used

terminology. May be this is the most important problem for the

East-West communication. For this reason, it's difficult for me to

understand what is the " conjugate periodisation " and consequently I

had some difficulties to express my opinion about it.

>

> In East Europe sport training methodology, the word " periodisation "

means the subdivision of training process in periods related to the

different training's tasks. There is also the conception of Training

Periodisation of L. Matveev, that is based on his particular principle

of training's process planning, different from my conception of

" Training Programming " .

> But from what is in my knowledge, I can suppose that in the West the

word " periodisation " is synonym of " training's planning " and the

conception of Matveev's Periodisation has named " Linear

periodisation " . My conception of " Training Programming " is often

wrongly associated with word " programming " that is the general

activity to define the training programs.

>

> May be also the word " conjugate " has been used in the West with

another meaning.

> For example, I am not sure that the Conjugate Method of

is the same Conjugate Method that I know.

> In the article of " The Conjugate Method " has been reported

that this method was invented in 1970th by weight lifters of Dynamo

Club (USSR): " They were introduced to a system of 20-45 special

exercises that were grouped into 2-4 exercises per work-out and were

rotated as often as necessary to make continuous progress They soon

found out that as the squat, good morning, back raise, glute/ham

raise, or special pulls got stronger, so did their Olympic lifts. When

asked about the system, only one lifter was satisfied with the number

of special lifts; the rest wanted more to choose from. And so the

conjugate system was originated. "

>

> The Conjugate Method that I know was invented in 50th by my

teacher, the famous high jumpers coach V. Djachkov. It was a

brilliant idea to use the special strength exercises for improving the

technique of athletes. For the first time in the Sport Training

Methodology was introduced the idea that to adjust the competition

exercise technique is necessary to increase the strength level

expression in determinate movements.

> At that time I and Djachkov elaborated together this method and I

suggested him to name it " conjugate " because the strength exercises

have to be " conjugated " with the technical issues of the athletes.

After, I introduced the Principle of Dynamic Correspondence to select

and elaborate adequate special strength exercises on the base of the

biodynamic structure analysis of competition exercise.

> Often, in USSR the Conjugate Method was used also as " the execution

of competition exercise with overload " .

> So, the original idea of " this " Conjugate Method is not simply " the

rotation " of the same group of special exercises during the

preparation period, but it is the " conjugate " use of special physical

preparation exercises and technical exercises in the same training

session.

>

> In 60th, I started to use the special strength preparation exercises

and technical works not in the same training session, but in different

sequenced training sessions, and later, in different sequenced

training stages.

> When I elaborated the structure of special physical preparation in

speed-strength disciplines, I understood that also special strength

work consists in different types of exercises, that can be conjugated

from them in sequence (can be used in different training sessions and

in different training stages).

> This idea was utilised in my Physical Preparation Training

Methodology where I introduced:

> the Conjugate-Sequence System of training loads organisation, the

Principles of Concentration and of Superposition of different

training loads and the Block System of training.

>

> Therefore, now in the East Europe sport methodology there are two

different models for the use of different types of loads in training

process: complex-parallel and conjugate-sequence.

> In the first case these loads are used together with " continuous

rotations of the same special exercises " during all preparation period.

> In the second case these loads are used in the sequence, one type of

loads after another, everyone concentrated in a special training stage.

>

> If the conjugate periodisation is another name of complex-parallel

model of training loads organisation and you wish know my opinion

about it, I can answer very shortly.

> The complex-parallel model is much more simple than the

conjugate-sequence because it doesn't need the exactly quantitative

model of training load distribution during the preparation period.

> It's better use the complex-parallel model for non expert athletes

who have a not stabilised technique and a low level of physical

preparedness (in any case when the coach doesn't know very well the

training experience of the athletes).

> The complex-parallel model can be used also for high level athletes:

> - in the first phase of preparation period, before they

start the concentrated physical preparation work,

> - when they don't need to increase radically their physical

preparedness level, but they need to " conjugate " their high level

physical capacities with the technique ( it's particularly important

in some sport disciplines).

>

> In generally, the conjugate-sequence model is much more effective

that complex-parallel for high level athletes with high level of

physical preparedness.

> In the sport disciplines where the sport result is strictly related

with the increase of the physical preparedness level these athletes

need to increase further their level of physical preparedness. In this

case the training programs have to be elaborated very carefully.

> There are many other aspects about this issue but it need too much

time to explain all the aspects involved.

> I hope this post will clarify, at least, the main arguments.]

>

September 13, 2007

>

> Does anyone know how Westside Barbell programs came to use the term

> conjugate?

>

> I recently read through Verkoshansky's latest text and the way he

> describes the conjugate (coupled succesive)system.

>

> The way I understand it is an advanced training sysem beyond that of

> concurrently training different strength qualities in a microcycle.

> The system would train different strenth qualities unilaterally for

> a couples of weeks in a row. A transition/unloading week between

> this phase and the next phase will involve both of these qualites.

> For example:

>

> Week 1: work capacity (medium volume)

> Week 2: work capacity (heavy volume)

> Week 3: work capacity/maximal strength (light volume)

> Week 4: maximal strength (medium volume)

> Week 5: maximal strength (heavy volume)

> Week 6: maximal strength/speed-strength (light volume)

> Week 7: speed strength (medium volume)

> Week 8: speed strength (high volume)

>

> This is different than concurrently training these qualites in a

> week. Westside's version of conjugate seems to be concurrent. I

> have read that exercise rotation is also part of their conjugate

> methodology. These two definitions of conjugate seem to be at odds

> with each other.

>

> Can anyone shed some more light on this?

>

******

Dr. Anatoliy P. Bondarchuk writes (Translated by Dr Yessis):

.....In these instances, there is a theoretical and practical error

working at the base of the artificial division of form and content

since they are united in all of their displays. In the theory and

methods of physical education this unity is expressed in the

principle of conjugated training effects. This was proposed in the

1960's by head coach and scientist V.M. Dyachkov [81]. The essence of

this method will be looked at further on since it provides answers to

many questions that require a straight forward understanding of the

training transfer process. ...

The Principle of Conjugated Training Effects

The use of training means for developing physical abilities and

improving technical mastery is in accord with this principle. These

two factors should coincide and correspond to the competitive

exercise according to their basic characteristics. Later on, this

principle was modified by other specialists who called it dynamic

correspondence and the principle of resolving motor actions. [157].

According to U.V. Menkhin [157] the conjugate principle should affect

not only the competitive event, but all the specialized activity as a

whole.

Using the sport of gymnastics as an example, Menkhin showed that the

best form of conjugation appears when the physical preparation

ensures five main components of preparation for technical improvement

or for learning technique......

Taken from Transfer of Training in Sports

(www.ultimateathleteconcepts.com)

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

Carruthers

Wakefield, UK

September 14, 2007

Dan Partelly wrote:

> Westside Barbel is often imitated / copied by many trainers , but

> surprisingly, none of those ppl seems to understand the system...

Perhaps not even Louie and his colleagues at Westside. Here's one man's

critique, taken directly from Supertraining Message no. 2326:

________________________________________

Thibaudeau quotes Louie on various subjects and Madsen

responds:

>Am I the only one who thinks he's all over the place?

I have been giving Mr the benefit of the doubt especially since he

speaks without the greatest linguistic skills. He can be very difficult to

follow.

That aside, imo, mixes science and pseudo-science like a tossed

salad. At best, he is a product of trial-and-error training that has been

" refined " into regimes that have been successful. At worst, he is akin to

the blind pig who finds acorns every once in a while.

Joe Alden

Atlanta USA

______________________________________

Regards,

s

Ardmore, PA

September 15, 2007

It would appear that the meaning of conjugate has almost as many definitions as

HIT.

It can be a training methodology as Westside uses it.

It can be a training program as Verkoshansky defines it.

It can also be a training effect as Bondarchuck defines it.

I am not completely clear on what Bondarchuck is saying though. I found his

book a little hard to follow at times.

My interest is more in weightlifting and general conditioning for athletes so

I am only somewhat familiar with powerlifting training regimes. Is Westside the

end all and be all of powerlifting or is there other very effective and

different training regimes out there? If Westside is the equivalent of

Medvedyev/Russian weighlifting system, is there a powerlifing school of thought

that is more in line with the Bulgarian weightlifting method?

I would be curious to know what the powerlifters in this group think.

cheers

Matt Barr

London, Ontario, Canada

September 15, 2007

>

> It would appear that the meaning of conjugate has almost as many

definitions as HIT.

>

> It can be a training methodology as Westside uses it.

> It can be a training program as Verkoshansky defines it.

> It can also be a training effect as Bondarchuck defines it.

>

> I am not completely clear on what Bondarchuck is saying though. I

found his book a little hard to follow at times.

>

> My interest is more in weightlifting and general conditioning for

athletes so I am only somewhat familiar with powerlifting training

regimes. Is Westside the end all and be all of powerlifting or is

there other very effective and different training regimes out there?

If Westside is the equivalent of Medvedyev/Russian weighlifting

system, is there a powerlifing school of thought that is more in line

with the Bulgarian weightlifting method?

>

> I would be curious to know what the powerlifters in this group think.

>

***

I think you missed the picture totally. Verkhoshanky doesn't define it

as a " training program " , nor does Bondarchuck defines it as a

" training effect " .

Respectfully

Dan Partelly

Oradea, Romania

September 16, 2007

In sports the term " conjugate " has been used with the intent to express

" joined together " . Therefore, it is easy to use it to express many

different things, and , at the same time, correct to do so. Nobody

patented the term " conjugate " for exclusive use.

Also, it is incorrect, in my opinion to use constructs like " the

Russian conjugate ... whatever " , " the Russian system " , " the eastern

European " . There is no unique system in sport training to be labeled

as " Russian " , " eastern European " . There are coaches and coaches

which developed very efficient systems of training sportsman. Denying

individuality and labeling everything " russian " is a mistake.

The " conjugate method " is a **method** of training in which special

strength exercises are used to develop technical mastery of athletes.

Its paternity can be attributed to a high jumper coach , V. Djiakov.

This is what both Dr. Bondarchuck and Dr. Verkhoshanky refer to.

Please note that " conjugate " here refer to the same basic meaning ,

" joined together " . It's " joined together " training effects

(developing the abilities which allow one to express his motor skills

AND motor skills themselves - technique) and it doesn't mean

" training effect " or a " training program " as has been suggested in a

previous post.

The " conjugate sequence system " , aka block system is a system of

programming and organization of training (note that I avoid the word

" periodisation " ) developed by prof Verkhoshansky and introduced at

the same time as the principles of concentration and superposition of

training loads. Not surprisingly, here the word " conjugate " means the

same thing " joined together " . There are blocks of training which are

conjugated in sequence.

The issues with the word conjugate is when ppl start to use it in all

the wrong ways. They say " conjugate method " , and they are 100% they

refer to " conjugate sequence system " , but sadly they dont realize they

dont use either the " conjugate method " either the " conjugate sequence

system " , but some kind of concurrent method of organizing the

training, or whatever other things. Ive seen this confusion in

countless articles from ppl which should have known better.

There is nothing wrong in using the word " conjugate " to express other

things then the 2 things mentioned above. In its basic sense of

" joined together " it can be used to express a lot of things.

Respectfully

Dan Partelly

Oradea, Romania

[Mod: Excellent summary!]

September 16, 2007

Dan, Thanks for your summary. This is was what I was looking for when I

originally posted the topic. This was my understanding of how the word can be

used to describe many things. My linguistic skills have let me down again in

that I was incorrect by using the the word " defines " when I was trying to give

examples of the different ways it was used.

I understand your hesitation to the use of applying broad country specific

(Russian/Bulagarian) lables to systems of training. I realize each coach has

their own method but I think the context I used it in makes sense. The

Bulgarian approach and the Russian approach to weightlifting in the 70s and 80s

was considered to be very differenet. The Bulgarians tended to be very specific

in their choices of exercise and the Russian tended to use a wide array of

exercises. I was asking if there is a powerlfiting school of thought that

contrasted the Westside method of variability with a specificity approach of

only using 5 or 6 exercises(ie similar to Abadjiev's method).

thanks again

Matt Barr

London, Ontario, Canada

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

Dan Partelly wrote:

In sports the term " conjugate " has been used with the intent to

express