Static Weights Vs Sport Specific Stregnth Building

Funny Title9 and Pumpkinman group, we were just discussing this this morning.  Below is an email I received from Sportsworkout regarding a study that was done on this very topic…..  I am proof sport specific works!

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What is the best method to train for strength or endurance: static, dynamic, or isokinetic? The answer depends on what you are training to accomplish, the goal of your training. If you just want to get stronger, almost any method will work. If you want to gain strength to improve performance in work or sport, your training should be specific to your goal. We conducted a study in which college women trained with weights (isotonic), isokinetic devices, or calisthenics. The isotonic group did best on lifting tests, and the calisthenics group scored best on calisthenics tests. The isokinetic training group, which gained strength on the isokinetic devices, came in third on the other two tests. This study showed the importance of training in the manner in which you will eventually use the strength (Sharkey et al. 1978).  Today we will focus on static (isometric) training.

STATIC (ISOMETRIC) TRAINING

Based on an early study conducted in Germany (Hettinger and Müller 1953), static training was popular until studies finally compared isometrics with traditional weightlifting and found that static contractions came in a distant second. Isometric contractions don’t provide a sense of accomplishment through lifting something, they elevate blood pressure, and they are seldom specific to the training goal. Isometrics do have some uses: in rehabilitation, when that is all that the patient can do; for work at the sticking point of a lift; and for activities that require static strength or endurance (e.g., archery or rock climbing). More recently, isometric contractions have been used in conjunction with weightlifting to produce better results.