- What is true strength, what does it mean, and how can one use it? -
I believe the legends of history had the right idea regarding true strength:
- Strength is the ability to generate force under given conditions - Pavel Tsatsouline
Why look to history to guide us in modern times? Fact is the feats & accomplishments of the old timers have yet to be match today even with the advances in science & technology. Synthetic derived hormones (performance enhancing drugs) nor state of the art machines/equipment existed and without shortcuts that leaves only ass-busting training and indomitable dedication. If those two parameters stood the test of time, could it be that they are the foundation upon which true strength is built? Why try reinventing the wheel, why not add to or modify it?
In the context of physical culture, many espouse different but similar opinions. Through meticulous sorting, testing, & refining I discovered a pattern converging to the underlying principle.
Strength is a skill in conscious control of muscular & neurological force production over varying periods of time, through a pain & injury free range of motion. I stand firmly behind this definition and will adopt it for our purposes on this blog.
Skill: Proficiency, facility, or dexterity that is acquired or developed through training or experience
Meaning one can always undergo the challenge of building up and refining skill regardless of starting position, experience, knowledge, disadvantage, etc. That's the good news, the bad - there is a price to pay for acquiring and mastering any skill. The skill of strength is paid in the currencies of time, energy, sacrifice, blood, sweat, & tears. However its benefit is near inexhaustible; improving - health, longevity, quality of life, discipline, stress management, constitution, endurance, energy, performance, form, while lessening lethargy and weakness. How does that deal sound to you?
Training: the process of bringing a person, etc., to an agreed standard of proficiency, by practice and instruction
Meaning training is purposeful in moving one toward a stated goal through repeated actions of practice. Great instruction will accelerate one toward a goal, poor instruction will retard progress. See the Foundational Skill post
From the Laws we hold true force is a function of mass and acceleration. Contracting the muscles is what causes acceleration, muscle by definition has some mass, therefore we arrive at a specific amount of force. The neurological aspect is involved because in order for a muscle to contract, it requires an electrochemical impulse sent from the brain via the Central Nervous System (CNS).
You order a book from Amazon.com, amazon warehouse/headquarter (brain) sends out a package (electrochemical instruction) to arrive at your house (muscle) to serve your intended purpose (contraction). The CNS is the bodies delivery system just like the Postal Service, however it is much more complex as it also performs other functions.
Duration of time is another aspect often neglected but nevertheless critical to the definition of strength as it plays a major role. Power can be expressed mathematically as:
Power = Force
Time
How can power be expressed if the time interval is not defined? It can't. That's what differentiates types of strengths, slower grinding vs. explosive high-intensity movements - by varying the time component. This will enables us to fall anywhere within the strength - endurance spectrum.
Can one be truly exert strength while in pain? Seems contradictory because it is. Pain is identified by the CNS as a threat therefore its reaction is to remedy the issue usually via inflammatory processes. If you have suffered an injury such as stubbed finger, the CNS detects a force acting upon the finger, determines that force is causing pain then elicits a response to address the pain to prevent further damage. Which results in the restriction of either range of motion (ROM) in the finger and/or reduction of contractile strength. Maybe moving it certain directions causes pain or applying force to the finger by opening a jar. Training through pain does not make one strong, mentally or physically, it only invites more damage and lengthened recovery times. Pain is a stop sign that must be interpreted and analyzed to rectify a problem, correct it, then pursue on.
Range of motion (ROM) is inherently tied to strength for strength exists only through a ROM. This can be clearly demonstrated by the act of standing up. Your whole body moves through space and even though it may not feel like strength is applied, it is. You are just so skilled at the maneuver that it no longer provides an adequate stress to your muscles. ROM is part of the context of strength. A simple test - anything that increases your ROM will increase some some aspect of strength, likewise a decrease in ROM will decrease strength.
The advantage of first understanding bodily strength is the direct evidence of its power. It physically changes the human form inside and out, enhances movement function, increases energy capacity, and floods the body with limitless vigor. This will provide the necessary motivation to endure the challenges and expand awareness by using these learned truths to apply strength in other channels such as the mind and character. The second advantage is it provides near immediate feedback. Think of it as your report card. You will notice changes within yourself some easily described, some not. Lastly the ease of which to track and measure progress because without assessing data, one cannot be certain if advancement toward goals are being made.
Strength is not bound to just the physical realm. It has many shapes and forms, some more tangible and quantifiable than others. Just as we cannot perceive gravity or electromagnetic waves, their powerful force effects us regardless if we see, believe, or understand it. Keep in mind, the strengthening of mind and character are no less important or critical. As stated above I shall embark on the avenue of bodily strength first.
No comments:
Post a Comment