The length-tension relationship is the observation that muscle fibers have an optimal length for force output due to having a greater number of active crossbridges available to contribute to force production.
What is the “length-tension” relationship? Read More »
The force velocity relationship illustrates that fiber level force output increases as contraction velocity goes down. Since we are talking specifically about fiber level force production, this relationship exists due to the greater degree of active cross-bridging occurring at a given time as a result of the slower contraction velocities. Fiber Level vs Whole Muscle
What is the “force-velocity” relationship? Read More »
The size principle is the observation that motor units (and the muscle fibers they control) are recruited by the nervous system on an as need basis to meet and/or maintain a requisite force output.
What is the “size principle”? Read More »
I am extremely excited to share a guest article from Zac Robinson and Josh Pelland. Zac and Josh are both masters students at Florida Atlantic University, and are coaches and co-owners of Data Driven Strength . I have really enjoyed chatting with, and bouncing ideas off of both of them over the past year or
Rethinking Proximity to Failure for Strength Gains Read More »
The primary aim of this post is to offer some additional insight into managing rest intervals. Before I dive into that, I want to rehash a few points pertaining to mechanical tension that I discussed a bit in one of my prior posts. Tension at the fiber level In 2010 Brad Schoenfeld published a paper suggesting
The Relationship Between Tension & Rest Read More »
As both a coach and athlete, I can’t overstate the benefits of positive momentum. It can make or break our outlook and adherence to a strategy. Positive momentum is often a result of quantitative and/or qualitative progress. On the qualitative front, perhaps we performed the same protocol but with better technique or at a lower
High(er) reps to break plateaus? Read More »
This was originally posted as part of the series “Pliable Programminig” on the De Novo Elements platform. Summary Performance is the difference between strength capacity and accrued fatigue at any given time. There is a large degree of volatility that can occur on both sides of the performance “equation”, especially regarding the magnitude/source of stress
Fitness-Fatigue Model: implications for flexible program design Read More »
This was originally posted as part of a series called “Pliable Programming” on the De Novo Elements platform. In Part 2 of this series we will examine one of the primary programming variables which drive the fitness side of the fitness-fatigue model discussed in Part 1. First, let us review the primary objectives in achieving
The Role of Intensity Read More »
While the title is a bit “click baity”, it asks an important question that sheds light on some misunderstanding with regards to progressive overload. Is it possible to get jacked without worrying about adding load to the bar? When I was first starting to write about this topic, I posed the following poll question on my
Is load progression necessary for hypertrophy? Read More »
