There have been a few articles appearing lately on block periodization/block training for powerlifters that have piqued my interest. As good as the information was, my concern was that it did not relate to the block training that was espoused by the former Soviets.
According to Verkhoshansky, (see back issues of the Fitness and Sports Review International) Bondarchuk, (see volume 1 and 2 of Transfer of Training) and Issurin, (see Block Periodization, Volumes 1 and 2) block periodization is used to perfect the performance of a high-level athlete and entails combining technique with strength.
Because of this I feel that we should look at block training/periodization in more detail and somewhat differently in order to make better application of this type of training. It can be of great benefit but it should be looked at in relation to the level and type of athlete that is being discussed.
It is important to understand that the training for a low-level powerlifter, or any other athlete, should be different from the training of a high-level powerlifter or other athlete. But most of the articles and the information that appears disregard this distinction. This is why most athletes may experience short-term gains but then they quickly level off and in many cases decrease.
There should be greater precision in what we mean by the different types of training. Exactly what does block, general preparatory or a general developmental, supplementary training mean? How are they determined? How do we know when and how to use them?
Once we do this and delineate exactly what is meant by low and high level athlete, we should be able to better recommend block or other types of training programs for a specific population. In this way we can develop more high-level and successful powerlifters and power athletes.
For more information see back issues of the Fitness and Sports Review International, Transfer of Training, and Block Periodization.