Training Specificity for Athletes: Emphasis on Strength-Power Training: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Specificity has two major components: A strength-endurance continuum (S-EC) and adherence to principles of Dynamic Correspondence. Available evidence indicates the existence of the S-EC continuum from two aspects. Indeed, the S-EC exists, particularly if work is equated as a high load low repetition scheme at one end (strength stimulus) and high volume (HIEE stimulus) at the other. Furthermore, some evidence also indicates that the continuum as a repetition paradigm with high-load, low repetition at one end (strength stimulus) and a high repetition, low load at the other end. The second paradigm is most apparent under three conditions: (1) ecological validity—in the real world, work is not equated, (2) use of absolute loads in testing and (3) a substantial difference in the repetitions used in training (for example 2–5 repetitions versus ≥10 repetitions). Additionally, adherence to the principles and criteria of dynamic correspondence allows for greater “transfer of training” to performance measures. Typically, and logically, in order to optimize transfer, training athletes requires a reasonable development of capacities (i.e., structure, metabolism, neural aspects, etc.) before more specific training takes place.

Influence of Cluster Sets on Mechanical and Perceptual Variables in Adolescent Athletes

“…Resistance training is an integral part of athletic development for many individuals of various ages and sports [1]. It is well established in the literature that increasing strength and power capacity is an important strategy for improving sports performance [2] and injury prevention [3], and that higher levels of strength and power promote greater that can reduce the risk of injury in this population, by allowing a smaller accumulation of fatigue and providing better adherence to training programs, since there are several benefits for health and performance listed in the literature, as well for psychosocial aspects such as self-confidence, body image, and socialization skills [41][42][43].…”

Sporting Mind: The Interplay of Physical Activity and Psychological Health

“…Furthermore, participation in physical activities can have social and psychological benefits for individuals with bipolar disorder. Not only can it help improve self-esteem and social skills but also depressive symptoms, which are often challenged in bipolar disorder [ 125 , 126 ].…”

Long-term exercise adaptation. Physical aging phenomena in biological networks

“…As a consequence of the increase in the specificity, the susceptibility to the new specific perturbations again increases, which further improves the values of the fitness function . This is usually an effect of exploring the more detailed structure of the landscape of task-specific physiological/biomechanical metastable configurations ( Stone et al, 2022 ). When variability of perturbations is returned to the previous (less specific and more variable) level, the susceptibility to exercise perturbations returns to the values characteristic for the states before the increment of the exercise specificity.…”