[quote author="star61" date="1249160599"][quote author="Julian Burns" date="1249151109"]I like to do 3 – 4 sets of heavy squats between 85 – 90% after Oly lifts in the power phase for strength maintenence, but was thinking of replacing the squats with more explosive exersises. What do you guys think of doing contrast training during this phase for example, thoughts???
I like what I’ve read about contrast training. And by contrast you mean alternating power/strength sets on a set to set basis, right?[/quote]
Well the idea I had in mind is performing an explosive exercise followed by a plyometric exercise. Example would be a weighted stomping step up immediately followed by a 15 m start. My thoughts would be this form of contrast training wuld increase explosiveness especially during the first few steps out of the blocks.[/quote]Doing an explosive followed by a plyometric (which is also explosive) might be something to include in trainng, but they may be too close together on the force curve to be considered contrast. Contrast usually involves a slow max strength movement with an explosive power movement.
Slow movements in the weight room might include; All heavy squat versions, all heavy deadlift versions, heavy lunges, heavy leg presses, or heavy stepups. Explosive movements might include Oly lifts, jump squats, plyos, and all other jumps.
On the track, contrast might be something like a steep 20m hill accelertion followed by a flat 20m acceleration, or a flying 30 up a shallow slope followed by a flying 30 down the slope.