Bodybuilding and Power Sports

[Guest guest]

I teach a course called Principles of Strength and Conditioning at Cal State U,

Chico. I cover concepts such as the physiology of strength, power and muscle

hypertrophy, spinal biomechanics, weight lifting and powerlifting

techniques,proper squatting and lifting techniques, program design,functional

training methods, training for sports (including bodybuilding),treating and

preventing back pain, plyometrics, building speed and agility, etc. We use film

to analyze and improve technique.

At the end of the semester the students make Powerpoint presentations describing

training methods for various sports. Invariably, several students will recommend

hard-core bodybuilding programs for power athletes such as baseball players,

football players, tennis players, and throwers. They are exposed to full body

functional training methods yet still gravitate toward bodybuilding workouts.

I think bodybuilding is a sport but bodybuilding training is not appropriate for

power athletes. The concept that bodybuilding training is appropriate for power

athletes is thoroughly ingrained in the American sports system. Things are

changing but not as fast as you might think. The scary part is that these

students will be coaching our children next year.

Tom Fahey

Dept. Kinesiology

Cal State University, Chico

Chico,CA 95929-0330