Specificity
Specificity in relation to training programs is aimed at or designated components of fitness, muscle groups and or/energy systems, basically workout specified to a certain aim or goal.
For athletes, the component of specificity is vital as it means fitness designed to a certain activity. However using this component can cause an athlete to neglect the other muscle groups or energy systems. Training needs to include work on the whole body, not just specific areas, however the majority of training can be aimed at certain areas. The athlete will gain the most benefits from training closely to what the actual activity that they partake in, which will result in the most gains being made.
Specificity in relation to strength training- in strength training the exercise must be specific to the type of strength required and is therefor related to the particular demands of the event. The athlete must have knowledge of the primary muscles in need of work, relating the the activity that they associate with and spend the majority of their training, working on these primary muscles without neglecting the secondary muscles. The athlete must also implement both high and low velocity training- 'Training at low velocity increases low velocity strength substantially but has little effect on high velocity strength (Coyle and Fleming, 1980)', high and low velocity training is simply the use of fast and slow movements in training. And example of specificity in strength training is a football player should perform strength and power lifts, and a marathon runner should perform exercises that build muscular endurance. A football player should perform exercises such as power cleans, snatches and sled pushed to mimic blocking and tackling.
Specificity in relation to aerobic training- in aerobic training the exercises being performed must be specific to working the aerobic system. The athlete must train themselves based on improving the aerobic system, endurance, VO2 max. The athlete must be knowledgeable about how to train these areas, and implement specific training into their routines based on these areas. An example of training in relation to the aerobic system is cycling training as it has a major effect on improving an individuals VO2 Max. 'The training effects of running are more general than cycling training. Running improved VO2 max approximately the same extent whether measured on the cycle or treadmill (Pechar et. al., 1974)'
For athletes, the component of specificity is vital as it means fitness designed to a certain activity. However using this component can cause an athlete to neglect the other muscle groups or energy systems. Training needs to include work on the whole body, not just specific areas, however the majority of training can be aimed at certain areas. The athlete will gain the most benefits from training closely to what the actual activity that they partake in, which will result in the most gains being made.
Specificity in relation to strength training- in strength training the exercise must be specific to the type of strength required and is therefor related to the particular demands of the event. The athlete must have knowledge of the primary muscles in need of work, relating the the activity that they associate with and spend the majority of their training, working on these primary muscles without neglecting the secondary muscles. The athlete must also implement both high and low velocity training- 'Training at low velocity increases low velocity strength substantially but has little effect on high velocity strength (Coyle and Fleming, 1980)', high and low velocity training is simply the use of fast and slow movements in training. And example of specificity in strength training is a football player should perform strength and power lifts, and a marathon runner should perform exercises that build muscular endurance. A football player should perform exercises such as power cleans, snatches and sled pushed to mimic blocking and tackling.
Specificity in relation to aerobic training- in aerobic training the exercises being performed must be specific to working the aerobic system. The athlete must train themselves based on improving the aerobic system, endurance, VO2 max. The athlete must be knowledgeable about how to train these areas, and implement specific training into their routines based on these areas. An example of training in relation to the aerobic system is cycling training as it has a major effect on improving an individuals VO2 Max. 'The training effects of running are more general than cycling training. Running improved VO2 max approximately the same extent whether measured on the cycle or treadmill (Pechar et. al., 1974)'