Mr. Renato Canova, I have a question concerning increasing ELASTIC STRENGTH and MUSCLE REACTIVITY

Training Advice/Discussion General

12 years ago 10/10/2011 4:58pm EDT

I have read a post of yours where to you state that you are not PRO plyo/weight training, but you are not AGAINST it either. You wisely stated that it depends on the athlete. I am currently coaching a runner who is training for the 1500m, but is very weak (muscularly). The individual is durable and resistant to injury, but just does not have any power to run the 1500m. He also responds very slowly to endurance training. I’ve recently introduced some plyometrics and weight training. He seems to respond well. I also introduced hill sprints a few weeks ago too.

My question is, with time constraints, how can I get the most increase in elastic strength and muscle reactivity?

Doing hill sprints, plyo, and weight training take time away from mileage, and there is only too much we can do. I was having him do fast 200s and 300s on the track, but recently made this workouts done on hills to kill do birds with one stone. HILL BOUNDING at this point is too much. He can’t really get a good bound going up hills, but I am waiting till he gets stronger.

Any suggestions would be great.

Thank you so much and it is an honor for us to have your wisdom on this board.

-Jerry

12 years ago 10/10/2011 5:06pm EDT

re: JerryJ80

TYPO: Doing hill sprints, plyo, and weight training take time away from mileage, and there is only SO much we can do.

12 years ago 10/11/2011 10:26am EDT

re: JerryJ80

"Hill 200m long have already different mean. The production of lactate is already significative, and we can use for increasing the ability in recruiting fibers WHILE saturated with lactate.

When you start to use in training 200m uphill, the evolution of this workout is TO EXTEND THE DISTANCE, so, trying to maintain the same speed, the athlete have to move to 250 - 300 - 400m, obviously opening recovery time. The target is to increase the ability in running with high accumulation of lactate, so the final goal is to stimulate METABOLIC and ENZYMATIC SYSTEM.

Using long and very fast distances uphill (between 300 and 600m) can give a big improvement in STRENGTH ENDURANCE, and an improvement in strength endurance can automatically provoke a good performance, also without any specific training on track. Some year ago, the Italian Giuseppe D'Urso (silver medal in 800m in WCh 1993) ran the best indoor seasonal time (1:45.47) in the World, without preparing the season, but only using long fast run for developing AEROBIC POWER (between 20' and 40'), plus intervals of 400 - 600m uphill, at his max speed, with long recovery."

I am NOT Renato Canova, but here is something he said concerning hills and strength endurance. Thus, I think your idea of taking track 200s-400s and doing them on hill is HIGHLY benefical; especially if your runner lacks power and strength endurance.

12 years ago 10/11/2011 1:22pm EDT

The runner in question is moving down, and has never done this type of training before (plyo, hill sprints, weights). It is very early to tell but he seems to be responding well. His stride looks MUCH better, and he has a better bounce (not too bouncy, but not dead on his feet like before). All of his workouts (short intervals, long intervals, long fast runs) are getting better, but his easy runs are getting slower for some reason.

10 years ago 04/10/2014 1:11pm EDT

re: JerryJ80

10 years ago 04/10/2014 2:33pm EDT

re: JerryJ80

There are no such things as "elastic strength" and "muscle reactivity" and you cannot train to specifically address either. The goal is to run faster, not arbitrarily zero in on useless concepts like "elastic strength" and "muscle reactivity." You should completely dismiss the babblings of any coach who ever invokes a term as ridiculously stupid as "muscle reactivity" no matter how prestigious he is. In sick of the degree of ignorance that pervades this sport.

Reply Replying to

Username

Password

Leave the password field blank to post anonymously.

Post Preview

By posting you acknowledge that you have read and abide by our Terms and Conditions.

Remember me on this device.

Mr. Renato Canova, I have a question concerning increasing ELASTIC STRENGTH and MUSCLE REACTIVITY

Of General Interest

This thread has already been deleted.

You have been subscribed.