High Performance Physiology

Chris and Rob chat through what strength ratios between exercises can tell us (and what they cannot tell us) about writing athletic training programs.

Continuing from the previous two episodes about powerlifting, Chris and Rob tackle the problem of "work capacity" in this context. What does work capacity mean? What are the underlying physiological adaptations that contribute to changes in work capacity? How should we train to improve work capacity?

In this episode, Chris and Rob continue the powerlifting theme from the previous week. While the previous episode covered the main lifts, this episode is dedicated to accessory lifts to support gains in squat, bench press, and deadlift performance.

In this introductory episode, Chris and Rob explain the underlying adaptations that contribute to powerlifting performance in general terms, and then discuss basic concepts like sets and reps, progression models, potentiation prior to the lifts, and the basic purpose of the training programs from a physiological point of view.

How do strength training programs transfer to sporting movements? What is the role of different exercises? Chris and Rob unpack the physiology and then go on to provide both positive and negative examples from existing training programs.