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June 20, 2006

Time Under Tension vs. Explosive lifts

Hi Rocco a quick question. I've been doing research on structual strength training and functional strength training.
In regards to structual strength there are many professional opinions that state time under tension training is more effective then ballistic exercises. The National Strength Training Association believes that time under tension recruits more muscle fibres as there is less outside forces involved so the muscles have to work harder with the increase in resistance. I am reading Supertraining by Mel Seff and it is his belief that explosive training is more benifical for structual strength as more neurons are fired to recruit more muscle fibres. In regards to hypertrophy training which would you believe is a more effective method.
Cheers Ian. From down under

Time under tension is always going to recruit more muscle fibers. Mel Seff is nuts. For hypertrophy’s sake, you need to recruit more muscle fibers to increase size. If you recruit only 10 muscle fibers, than only 10 can grow to be big and strong but if you recruit 100 than you increase the capacity to become even bigger and stronger. Now the only way that you can recruit more and more muscle fiber is by making damn sure that they are exhausted. The only way you can get that exhaustion is by beating the shit out of the muscle over time. So, with that said, do you think that doing quick and jerky movements will exhaust that muscle sufficiently to become big and strong? No one actually gets strong from those movements, they just get better at doing them by practicing them over and over and over again. It looks pretty cool but does not have anything to do with structural and functional strength. Keep up the good work. I’ll see you sometime down under. Hey just a quick question. Do you know many people that may want to understand weight training and exercise down in your neck of the woods. I wouldn’t mind bringing my askROCCO Live Seminars/shows to Australia.

Rocco

Posted by Rocco at 01:55 PM | Comments (1)

June 15, 2006

Baby steps for the bad back

Question: My husband injured his back about 5 years ago. Now he cannot walk but a short distance and cannot stand for any length of time. He has gained considerable amount of weight during this time. He is 6ft. and weighs approximately 340 lbs. and is 59 years old. He also has an irregular heartbeat and is on blood thinners. He wants to lose the weight but does not know what to do. We have tried to eat differently but without exercise it is not helping. Please tell me how to help him because I don't want to lose him to this weight problem. He has a lot of trouble breathing also.

Answer: This is a real bummer, because I don’t think that I can help either. I do have several ideas but they’re only suggestions and remember that I am not a doctor and will never pretend to be. One thing to remember is if you are not expending calories you do not need to take that many in. Your best bet would be to go to a licensed dietician and get the correct calorie intake for him. Second, if he can only walk a short distance keep him walking, let him walk until he can’t, let him sit and rest, then get his ass up again. Everyday push a little harder, nothing too crazy just a little more each day. It will feel like an eternity but I’ll bet within six months he’ll be walking better and feeling better. The fat won’t come off that fast but you need to get to the starting line if you want to finish the race. Let’s get your man to the starting line and then we’ll figure out how to run the race. This is his journey, stay by his side because he will need a little help along the way. Keep me updated.

Posted by Rocco at 07:19 PM | Comments (1)