Absolute strength is the greatest amount of weight that you can volitionally lift for one repetition. This means the greatest resistance that you can overcome in one repetition. It is usually measured in the concentric regime in which the muscle fibers shorten, as opposed to lengthening as in an eccentric contraction or remaining the same as in an isometric contraction.
The Russians strongly believe in increasing absolute strength but not at the expense of speed. This applies mainly to elite athletes and athletes who have been in serious training for several years which includes heavy weight training. They also believe in attaining greater strength that can be directly applied (transferred) to skill execution rather than only increasing general levels of strength.
For low-level and novice athletes (those who are in the early stages of serious training in their respective sport strength training is used with little regard to speed. Understand that these athletes still do not have complete mastery of their sports skills. At this time, the strength training has a positive effect on improving performance which includes both running speed as well as speed of limb movements.
Russian studies have shown that additional strength does not always have a direct, positive effect with elite athletes. At this stage, the greater the gains in absolute strength (all other factors being equal), the greater will be loses in speed. Thus, on the highest levels, it is very important that the gains in strength do not negate athletes’ speed.
This does not mean that additional strength training is not done. The Russians have found that there is also a direct correlation between absolute strength, speed and explosive power. In essence, the greater the absolute strength of the athlete, the greater is his speed and explosiveness. The key factor here is that both cannot be trained at the same time.
Thus, when increasing absolute strength, speed should not be a critical factor. The athlete should gain additional strength and usually experience a decrease in speed and explosiveness. This is why such training takes place in the off-season (in the general preparatory period).
However, as an athlete moves into the specialized period of training before competition, the strength training decreases significantly and more speed and explosive training is done. It is at this stage that the strength gained is literally converted to speed and explosive power.
Beginners, however, can maintain strength training right up to the beginning of the competitive season, as long as it does not interfere with skill execution. In season, regardless of athletic level, any strength training that is done, is done in a manner so that speed does not decrease.
For more information on this topic read Build a Better Athlete. Much related information is also available in Secrets of Russian Sports Fitness and Training and the Fitness and Sports Review International (formerly the Soviet Sports Review).