To fully understand the shock method it is first necessary to know if you are dealing with bodybuilding and powerlifting or athletics. The shock method in bodybuilding and powerlifting means a change in workout conditions. In sports (athletics), however, the shock method is used to develop greater explosive power and its application is very different from that seen in bodybuilding and powerlifting.
In bodybuilding and powerlifting the shock method refers to a change, most often a dramatic change in your workout routine. For example, if you have been using a constant weight in a particular exercise, increase the weight appreciably and concurrently decrease the number of repetitions. Doing so creates a dramatic change on the nervous system and thus a “shock.”
Note, however, that some authors use the shock method only to indicate a change in routine. But any change, if it is not significant, should not be referred to as the shock method. For example, making gradual increases in the amount of weight you use in your workouts will lead to greater gain but is not an example of shock.
To fully understand the shock method it is first necessary to know if you are dealing with bodybuilding and powerlifting or athletics. The shock method in bodybuilding and powerlifting means a change in workout conditions. In sports (athletics), however, the shock method is used to develop greater explosive power and its application is very different from that seen in bodybuilding and powerlifting.
In bodybuilding and powerlifting the shock method refers to a change, most often a dramatic change in your workout routine. For example, if you have been using a constant weight in a particular exercise, increase the weight appreciably and concurrently decrease the number of repetitions. Doing so creates a dramatic change on the nervous system and thus a “shock.”
Note, however, that some authors use the shock method only to indicate a change in routine. But any change, if it is not significant, should not be referred to as the shock method. For example, making gradual increases in the amount of weight you use in your workouts will lead to greater gain but is not an example of shock.
The shock method in sports usually refers to execution of the depth jump exercise. When you land, after stepping off and dropping down from a pre-determined height, you experience a shock to the body on touchdown. At this time the muscles go into strong contraction immediately, to stop you from going very deep.
In the process, as the muscles experience the eccentric contraction, they accumulate energy as they withstand the landing forces. These forces are then given back in the following jump up.
As you can see these two forms of the shock method are quite different. Because of this, it would be great if everyone would use the same common definitions so that we could better understand what is taking place in different types of workouts for different effects. All too often, however, people use the terms as b.s. to falsely indicate their knowledge and expertise rather than truly understanding application of the term and using it correctly.
See Build a Better Athlete for more information on this topic.
In the process, as the muscles experience the eccentric contraction, they accumulate energy as they withstand the landing forces. These forces are then given back in the following jump up.
As you can see these two forms of the shock method are quite different. Because of this, it would be great if everyone would use the same common definitions so that we could better understand what is taking place in different types of workouts for different effects. All too often, however, people use the terms as b.s. to falsely indicate their knowledge and expertise rather than truly understanding application of the term and using it correctly.
See Build a Better Athlete for more information on this topic