Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    ELITETRACK
    • Home
    • Articles
      • Endurance
      • Flexibility
      • Hurdles
      • Jumps
        • High Jump
        • Long Jump
        • Pole Vault
        • Triple Jump
      • Multi-Events
      • Periodization
      • Relays
      • Sports Science
        • Biomechanics
        • Coaching Science
        • Exercise Physiology
        • Muscle Dynamics
        • Nutrition
        • Restoration
        • Sport Psychology
      • Sprints
      • Strength Training
      • Throws
        • Discus
        • Hammer
        • Javelin
        • Shot Put
    • Blog
      • Mike Young’s Blog
      • Carl Valle’s Blog
      • John Evan’s Blog
      • Antonio Squillante’s Blog
      • Vern Gambetta’s Blog
      • John Grace’s Blog
      • Ryan Banta’s Blog
      • Guest Blog
    • Forums
    • Store
    ELITETRACK
    You are at:Home»Forums»Miscellaneous Discussion»Polls»What is the purpose of weight lifting for a sprinter?

    What is the purpose of weight lifting for a sprinter?

    Posted In: Polls

        • Keymaster
          Mike Young on August 31, 2003 at 11:58 pm #8567

          If you had to select one of the above, which do you think is the primary benefit of weight lifting for a sprinter. Also, let's talk specifics about the hows and whys of your choice.

          Note: I had to redo this poll because their was an error with voting due to a glitch that I'm trying to take care of. Please repost your responses and vote again.

          ELITETRACK Founder

        • Member
          400stud on September 1, 2003 at 12:12 am #22075

          I chose other because I think that increasing strength relative to bodyweight is vital in sprinting as it is the key component in increasing stride length which is the number one factor in increasing speed (biomechanically speaking).

          Let's analyze the others:

          "Learning" to recruit motor units: Can easily be done on the track and should be. Weights aren't necessary there.

          Developing specific strength: This might be a choice based on how you view specific strength, but I think plyos may be a bit more necessary than weightlifting in some aspects.

          Developing general strength: You can do this via bounds, hills, plyos, bleachers, Ext. Tempo to some extent (strengthening of bones, tendons, joints, etc.). You don't need weights for this.

          Raising work capacity: You can do this through bodyweight circuits, but can also be helped by weights. However, this is more or less done through circuit training and not heavy lifting. But, again I feel this can be a possible choice.

          Hypertrophy: Sprinters don't need this…period.

          Injury Prevention: Proper training, stretching, warming up/cooling down, post-workout recovery methods and things of that nature are best suited to prevent injuries. Not weights. They actually can cause injury if done improperly.

          This is just my 2cents that is probably going to get ripped. So, let's here other's responses.

        • Participant
          QUIKAZHELL on September 1, 2003 at 12:33 am #22076

          I would have to go with general strength.

          Guys remember there are 2 types of hypertrophy functional and non function. Functional Hypertrophy you always want with the exeption of maintainence.

        • Keymaster
          Mike Young on September 1, 2003 at 12:36 am #22077

          Nice posts but remember to vote. Having definitive answers might make for more discussion. I just fixed (I hope) a glitch that was preventing users from voting so please let me know if you get an error message when voting.

          ELITETRACK Founder

        • Participant
          dark-knight on September 1, 2003 at 1:57 am #22078

          It's difficult to give one answer because the benefits of weights are multilateral.

          But if left with only one choice it would be general/organism strength. Like 400Stud said general strength could be improved for the lower body by "bounds, hills, plyos, bleachers," etc. Weights are superior in this category because it allows you to develop the entire organism -both upper and lower body.

          Strength to weight ratio is a product of improving general strength without gaining extra body weight.

        • Member
          2belite on September 1, 2003 at 2:49 am #22079

          The primary benefit of weight training for a sprinter is strength development. I think it can be seen as specific of general depending on how it is used. I think the real question is, how much stength gained through this method is enough? Does a 400lb bench have anything to do with sprinting?

        • Participant
          pete on September 1, 2003 at 3:58 am #22080

          [i]Originally posted by mike[/i]
          Nice posts but remember to vote. Having definitive answers might make for more discussion. I just fixed (I hope) a glitch that was preventing users from voting so please let me know if you get an error message when voting.

          Mike, I'm still having the problem but I would go with general strength.

        • Participant
          flight05 on September 1, 2003 at 7:25 am #22081

          would have to go with general strength as well, i think as a sprinter you can only go so far with sprinting and jumping drills, to add a new stimulus to the body you should use weights to get more strength that you can use on the track.

          i notice with novice athletes like me saw awesome progression after i got some general strength..

        • Keymaster
          Mike Young on September 1, 2003 at 10:45 pm #22082

          OK….I got the poll working (I think). You should be able to vote now. If not let me know.

          ELITETRACK Founder

        • Member
          400stud on September 2, 2003 at 2:08 am #22083

          Have you voted yet, Mike? You haven't voiced any opinions or anything yet so I'm curious.

        • Keymaster
          Mike Young on September 2, 2003 at 11:53 am #22084

          I voted for number 1. As has previously been mentioned, the benefits from weight lifting are multifactorial but I think for a speed and power athlete that learning to recruit more motor units is ultimately where it's at. The reason I say that is because if you train yourself to recruit more motor units and in such a way to maximize the efficiency of the firing, then strength and power gains, whether general or specific, will come as a result of more efficient use of the nervous system and strength and power gains can be made without adding mass to the athlete. This in turn results in higher power and strength-to-body weight ratios which is perhaps the primary determinant of success in our sport.

          ELITETRACK Founder

        • Member
          400stud on September 2, 2003 at 11:55 am #22085

          Geez, man. I asked for an opinion, not another scientific-based answer to make me look bad 😀

        • Participant
          Derrick Brito on June 4, 2004 at 4:31 am #22086

          i would say the benefit of lifting weights is other…its purpose is too look cooler:bounce:

        • Participant
          delldell on June 4, 2004 at 10:41 am #22087

          Yes, but what comes first, increasing general strength or learning to recruit more MU's? I'm curious how efficient one can be. If we have limits to protect ourselves, than at a certain point you'd either need to gain muscle to gain strength to use more MU's, right?

          We all know about the mom on adrenaline flipping cars…

          The nervous system stuff sounds like what DB focuses on.

        • Member
          rice773 on June 5, 2004 at 8:38 am #22088

          I was reading through this thread and actually was sold on 'Learning to recruit more motor units' before i got down to Mike's post. I believe that the olympic lifts are the most important lifts in the weight room because they teach the muscles of the body to work togehter efficiently. We all know that biceps curls are worthless next to power cleans because cleans recruit more motor units and are more similar to the demands of sprinting.

        • Keymaster
          Mike Young on June 7, 2004 at 9:37 am #22089

          [i]Originally posted by delldell[/i]
          Yes, but what comes first, increasing general strength or learning to recruit more MU's?

          Increased motor unit recruitment and enhanced neural efficiency usually preceed strength gains. This is especially true in the initial 2-3 weeks of training as well as when strength gains are unaccompanied by hypertrophy.

          ELITETRACK Founder

        • Participant
          dave on June 19, 2004 at 3:14 pm #22090

          I think its for development of general strength, is not neccesarily used to target specific areas of the body.

    Viewing 16 reply threads
    • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
    Log In
    Highest Rated Posts
    • A Review of 400m Training Methods 79 votes, average: 4.92 out of 579 votes, average: 4.92 out of 579 votes, average: 4.92 out of 579 votes, average: 4.92 out of 579 votes, average: 4.92 out of 5 (4.92 out of 5)
    • 2008 Olympics: Usain’s Insane 100m 67 votes, average: 4.96 out of 567 votes, average: 4.96 out of 567 votes, average: 4.96 out of 567 votes, average: 4.96 out of 567 votes, average: 4.96 out of 5 (4.96 out of 5)
    • Top 10 Myths of Sprinting Mechanics 66 votes, average: 4.74 out of 566 votes, average: 4.74 out of 566 votes, average: 4.74 out of 566 votes, average: 4.74 out of 566 votes, average: 4.74 out of 5 (4.74 out of 5)
    • 14 reasons why Jamaica is the Sprint Capitol of the World 59 votes, average: 4.85 out of 559 votes, average: 4.85 out of 559 votes, average: 4.85 out of 559 votes, average: 4.85 out of 559 votes, average: 4.85 out of 5 (4.85 out of 5)
    • 12 Reasons to Squat Year Round 58 votes, average: 4.86 out of 558 votes, average: 4.86 out of 558 votes, average: 4.86 out of 558 votes, average: 4.86 out of 558 votes, average: 4.86 out of 5 (4.86 out of 5)
    • 6 Reasons Why All Athletes Should Sprint 63 votes, average: 4.32 out of 563 votes, average: 4.32 out of 563 votes, average: 4.32 out of 563 votes, average: 4.32 out of 563 votes, average: 4.32 out of 5 (4.32 out of 5)
    • 4 Tips for Keeping up with Sport Science Research 65 votes, average: 4.03 out of 565 votes, average: 4.03 out of 565 votes, average: 4.03 out of 565 votes, average: 4.03 out of 565 votes, average: 4.03 out of 5 (4.03 out of 5)
    • Loren Seagrave’s thoughts on Absolute Strength 54 votes, average: 4.80 out of 554 votes, average: 4.80 out of 554 votes, average: 4.80 out of 554 votes, average: 4.80 out of 554 votes, average: 4.80 out of 5 (4.80 out of 5)
    • 6 Reasons Why Jamaicans Dominate the Sprints 50 votes, average: 4.78 out of 550 votes, average: 4.78 out of 550 votes, average: 4.78 out of 550 votes, average: 4.78 out of 550 votes, average: 4.78 out of 5 (4.78 out of 5)
    • Developing Endurance in Speed-Power Athletes 58 votes, average: 4.09 out of 558 votes, average: 4.09 out of 558 votes, average: 4.09 out of 558 votes, average: 4.09 out of 558 votes, average: 4.09 out of 5 (4.09 out of 5)
    Recent Posts
    • Why Do Athletes Prefer Kratom Shots Over Other Methods Of Consumption?
    • Nutrition and Fitness for Athletes: Finding the Perfect Balance
    • Evidence Based Recovery for Peak Performance
    • Dealing With Chronic Back Pain: 4 Ways To Cope
    • Effective Strategies to Lose Fat

    ELITETRACK by Human Performance Consulting, LLC. All Rights Reserved. 2023.

    ELITETRACK by Human Performance Consulting, LLC. All Rights Reserved. 2023.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.