Developing Explosive Power
Submitted by Bruce on December 10, 2009 – 9:35 amOne Comment
As an athlete, you want to know how to develop and maintain explosive power. Power by definition is the rate at which we can apply maximal force against an external load or surface. However, doing movements, lifts and being strong is not enough to create explosive power – there are other factors in the equation. Lets talk about the process! First, you’ve got to have a proper base to work from.
Three essential prerequisites to build that base:
a) Increase mobility and stability
b) Creating a foundation of Maximum Strength
c) Nutritional Support and recovery
The first two factors, mobility and maximum strength development, take time and require the use of exercises specific to the individual. I’ll be covering these two topics in more depth in future posts. Assuming a persons strength, mobility and technique are already proficient then what more do we need? The intensity of this type of training needs to be supported with consumption of the right fuel – you’ve got to provide nutritional support and proper recovery if you want to build explosive power. This is the topic I’ll touch on today.
Foods and supplements have to sustain our ability to train ( not strain) and recover. Restoration from training is just as, if not more important than the level of intensity of training. Our bodies need to recover in a timely fashion in order to create a continual pattern of adaptation. It’s not just our bodies that need to recover though. Exercise is a mentally taxing activity, and fuel that you choose needs to support brain function performance and recovery at a high level.
Why is this an important factor in building explosive power? By fueling the Central Nervous System (CNS), you increase reaction speed and enable the musculoskelatal system to function more effectively.
Lets look at Sprinting as an example. Performing sprints without nourishing and resting the Central Nervous System will cause speed and power levels to stagnate and/or regress (also pain and soreness). The resting part is easy: sleep and give the CNS 72 hours to recover before doing another power or max speed based workout ( for the average person that works, more time is required for beginners) .
So how can you nourish the CNS? By feeding the production of neurotransmitters. I give my athletes supplements like Maxodin for this reason. The communication we need to be powerful comes from the brain’s ability to process and transmit instructions. Therefore nourishing the brain with neurotransmitter support is one of the the essential keys increasing your power.
It helps my athletes increase explosive power, and it can also be converted to speed. Finally, I recommend it to them because it helps them function better without the use of stimulants that could possibly stress their organs.
It helps my athletes increase explosive power, and it can also be converted to speed. Finally, I recommend it to them because it helps them function better without the use of stimulants that could possibly stress their organs.
Thanks again for letting me share with you! Train smart.
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