Supertraining

Michael, thanks for your perspective.

With all due respect to modern training methods, it seems to me it's 
many years since the US produced long and middle distance runners of 
the calibre of Salazar, Rodgers, Shorter, Prefontaine, Ryun and 
Wottle.

Not saying newer methods don't work, and I understand that champions 
come and go, but . . .

Paul Rogers
Gympie, Australia

--- In [EMAIL PROTECTED], "Dr. Michael Yessis" 
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> I agree with most of the comments.  However I believe a few very 
important
> points I have not been explored.  For example great quad strength 
is not
> important because the quads are not used in the pushoff.  That the 
Kenyons
> had weaker quads is thus not surprising.  What is needed is more 
quad
> eccentric and isometric strength to prevent the runner from sinking 
too low
> on every touchdown.
>  
> As many of you know the trend today is to do supplementary  
training that
> can enhance performance without continually doing the same event 
which
> typically leads to injury.  Instead of doing more running, which 
for the
> most part is the only method used in the training of a marathon 
runner, it
> is possible to use specialized exercises that duplicate the exact 
joint
> actions seen in running.  Use of exercises such as the knee drive 
have been
> proven to cut minutes off marathon times..  In essence you prepare 
the
> muscles in exactly the same way as they used in the run to enhance
> performance in the run.  The rationale and illustrations of this 
and other
> exercises that are specific to running are brought out in detail in
> Explosive Running.  
>  
> Doing this will bring more success to the runner than merely doing 
more
> different kinds of running.  I would also be careful in using 
plyometrics if
> it is true plyometrics (as in the shock method) and not simple jump 
training
> which has been used under the name of plyometrics for runners.  True
> plyometrics should be reserved for sprinters.
>  
> Michael Yessis, Ph.D in
> Professor Emeritus, CSUF
> President, Sports Training, Inc.
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> www.dryessis.com <http://www.dryessis.com/> 
> 760-480-0558
>