Many coaches have metaphorically said “speed kills”. Speed trumps other characteristics of athleticism. I believe that. Furthermore speed and power are intrinsically linked. The same physiological elements that are responsible for increases in speed are also responsible for increases in power.
Technically, “Speed does not trump other characteristics of athleticism”. Science [physics] tells us speed is the rate at which distance is covered. It’s velocity. Velocity is the rate at which distance is covered in a specific direction. In conversation and writing it is an insignificant issue, but in designing serious speed training programs, it probably should be understood.
There is much information on the Internet and other articles that are superficial and misleading regarding training to increase speed. One web site author who has been financially successful ”selling speed”, last fall sold a package of I believe 18 articles, written by different authors on speed training. I think the cost was about $90.00. The prevailing theme in over half the articles was significant increases in speed in just 30 days. Now that is nonsense!Neuromuscular training takes approximately eight weeks. This web site and these authors parallel weight loss commercials! It’s that quick and easy! A few months later, the same web site author stated, “It’s not about the money”. That normally is the first sign “it is about the money”!
Another web site author “selling speed” sells a training manual/CD set to “unlock the secret techniques proven to generate the fastest results.” I think the cost is more than $100.00. There are no “secret techniques” to anyone who has done their homework, researched and studied speed and power. In one chapter he states, “once the CNS, central nervous system becomes fatigued, the work outs quickly lose their effectiveness.” How many coaches/trainers know enough about the central nervous system to understand if that is true or not?
How do you fatigue the afferent and efferent neurons, the neuro-muscular impulse rates or the muscle motor unit firing rates? If fatigue occurs ”in the CNS” it more than likely is the depletion of the chemical transmitter acetycholine [Ach], released at the neuromuscular junction. These authors need to “get off the surface and explain themselves”!
If you are considering increasing speed as the primary focus in your strength and conditioning program, it is buyer beware of the material you read!
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