Topic > Sports and Movement: Improvements in Muscle Power

Most sports include movements that require the production of force in a short period of time. Movements may involve sprinting and jumping which, according to research by McBride, Triplett-McBride, Davie, and Newton (1999), can be improved by specific improvements in muscle power rather than general strength. The 100 meter sprint is typically an explosive competition that combines distinct aspects in which the athlete will move through the following four phases (Gambetta et al., 1989):1. Reaction time - the time between the firing of the gun and the onset of the muscle response (Schiffer, J. 2009).2. Acceleration – this is the degree of increase in speed from the starting position to reaching maximum speed (Schiffer, J. 2009).3. The maximum speed phase - consists of rapid repetition of activity and neurophysiological responses (Schiffer, J. 2009).4. The decreasing velocity (speed-endurance) phase – the part of a sprint event where neuromuscular fatigue or metabolic fatigue forces a sprinter to slow down (Schiffer, J. 2009). There are several muscles that are used at certain times in a 10 meter sprint. The acceleration phase engages the following group of muscles listed in order of priority: quadriceps, glutes, calf complex/Achilles tendon, and hamstrings (Chiu, & Barnes, 2003, Cronin, & Hansen, 2006 & Young, Benton , & John Pryor 2001).The maximum velocity phase will engage the following group of muscles listed in order of priority: hamstrings, glutes, hamstring/Achilles, and quadriceps (Cronin, & Hansen, 2006 & Young, Benton, & John Pryor 2001). Sprinting demands repeated muscle contractions plus adenosine triphosphate (ATP) will require replenishment from alternative fuel sources. For starters, the… center of paper… significant strength qualities, greater volume loads achieved, and training closer to the overtraining threshold (Haff, 2004 Stone, Stone, and Sands, 2007). During the periodization training program, a number of key exercises will be adopted into the training plan, including the squat and power clean. The literature has recommended when comparing strength-only and power-only training programs, an existing strength and power training program shows that the squat and power clean are the two best exercises for increasing lower body power, thus improving performance in explosive lower body movements such as sprinting. (Harris, Stone, O'bryant, Proulx, & Johnson, 2000). The periodization training program will be used to increase Mr. K's power and consequently enable him to quickly traverse the length and improve movement speed in minimal time for acceleration (Bompa and Haff 2009).