It is the objective of the book Supertraining to explore the phenomenon of strength and to apply to physical conditioning the discoveries arising from this quest, with a particular emphasis on the development of special fitness and preparedness for sporting performance at the highest level. In meeting this objective, the concepts of work capacity, fitness and preparedness, as well as the different types of strength are examined in detail to provide the necessary framework for research and practical application of all findings.
It analyses the different types of strength, their roles in human movement and how they may be developed efficiently. In illustrating how scientific research may be applied in training or rehabilitation, it discusses the various means and methods of strength training, ranging from resistance training with weights to impulsive (‘plyometric’) loading without weights. It identifies which specific types of strength fitness are required by the athlete, the forms in which strength is produced over the range of a given sporting movement and the most appropriate sequences for developing the different types of strength fitness over a prolonged training period.
Since considerable research reveals that strength is not a single fundamental fitness factor like cardiovascular endurance, as is often implied, this textbook introduces the reader to the exquisite complexity of strength via an understanding of the biomechanics, functional anatomy and physiology of the human movement system. This is not done simply as an intellectual exercise, but to prevent the reader from devising sport specific training programmes based on deficient traditional schedules which may have ignored the nuances of the different types of strength and the specificity of training for a given sport and individual.
Supertraining, although aimed primarily at the exercise scientist, specialist high level coach and physical educator, also has direct relevance to the sports medical practitioner or therapist who may be involved with rehabilitating athletes whose return to top level competition depends on restoration of the necessary type of strength fitness.
