SECRETS OF SOVIET (RUSSIAN) SPORTS FITNESS AND TRAINING
When this book first came out in 1987, it was ahead of its time in relation to new training practices for improved fitness and sports performance. Since then interest in former Soviet sports practices has increased substantially. In the last few years, there has been even greater interest in how the Russian (Soviet) athletes trained to develop many great Olympic and world record holder athletes.
When the book was first published, the cold war was on and most people did not believe that information on the Soviet system was available or even valid. As a result, many myths and misconceptions were formulated to explain the success of the athletes. They consisted mainly of the athletes using drugs and being paid to participate. Very few individuals were interested in looking at Soviet training practices.
Since the breakup of the Soviet Union and the continual success of Russian athletes in the Olympics and World Championships, in addition to their often outstanding play on foreign teams, interest in how Russian athletes train has increased greatly. Assisting in this was the knowledge that their drug use was not the main reason for their success. Also it has since been established that many other countries including the US, have been using drugs.
Western athletes and coaches are beginning to realize that the success of the Soviet system was due mainly to advanced scientific methods, many of which are now becoming popular in the U.S. and other countries. For example, practices such as plyometrics, periodization, specificity of exercises, the shock method, sports restoration, and specialized strength exercises, are increasing in popularity. However, many coaches still do not understand fully understand these concepts and how they can be put into practice.
Secrets of Soviet Sports Fitness and Training was the first book to report on these methods and to show coaches and athletes how to incorporate some of these methods into their training programs. Feedback from coaches and athletes who have implemented many of the Russian practices, say that this book has changed dramatically the way they construct their workout programs and conduct their workouts.
As a result they are achieving greater success than from other programs that they had used. For example, the concept of speed-strength training, which was a major feature of the Soviet system, is the basis for most of speed and explosive training programs presently in existence. The incorporation of plyometrics has made appreciable differences in these and other programs when training for greater speed and explosive power.
In this second edition of Secrets of Russian Sports Fitness and Training, in addition to the latest in strength, speed and explosive training methods, there are also sections dealing with the science of sports psychology, which was well developed in the former Soviet Union. In fact, no one has come close to duplicating what the Russians did in sports psychology. It was a training system, not merely removing anxieties and learning how to relax. It was designed specifically to prepare the athlete for his upcoming event.
Another very important aspect of the Soviet system was the role of nutrition. It was used not only for maintaining health but also for improving health, recovery, restoration, and for enhancing performance. Extensive research was done in this area and much of it is reported in the book. For example, studies were done to determine which vitamins and minerals were used up during a specific sports competition. They studied how long it took for the body to replenish these nutrients and then prescribed specific vitamins and minerals for faster recovery (replenishment) which allowed the athlete to get back to training even sooner.
Also, quite innovative, was the use of restorative measures to help athletes recover from heavy and intense workouts. These have yet to find their way into mainstream U.S. practice, but once they do, we will begin seeing many more impressive improvements in the training of athletes. The role of these methods is especially valuable in contact sports and in heavy or stressful type sports.
This book is excellent for looking at the total concept of training an athlete and the many different factors that are involved. For very detailed information and results of the extensive research that the Russians did in sport, you are also referred to the Soviet Sports Review, later the Fitness and Sports Review International. They contain translations of original research and training practices in many sports. These journals are available as back issues.
Reading this book and implementing some of the ideas contained, can enhance your training and training program greatly. Not only is it very valuable for athletes and coaches but also people involved in fitness and recreational sports athletes.