Strong sinews are not only helpful for injury prevention but also for sports performance. When a tendon is streched, the elastic energy is stored within this structure.
This deformation energy is recoiled and used to enhance motor output in the concentric phase of the short-shortening cycle (Zatsiorsky and Kraemer, Science and practice of strength training).
For the athlete, it transfers into a higher/ longer jump, and a more efficient stride.
For the Girevik, it translates as more push presses and jerks, for example.
“A stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) can be defined as an active stretch (eccentric contraction) of a muscle followed by an immediate shortening (concentric contraction) of that same muscle.
The increased performance benefit associated with muscle contractions that take place during SSCs has been the focus of much research in order to determine the true nature of this enhancement. At present, there is some debate as to where and how this performance enhancement takes place. It has been postulated that elastic structures in series with the contractile component can store energy like a spring after being forcibly stretched (Alexander, 1987). Since the length of the tendon increases due to the active stretch phase, if the series elastic component acts as a spring, it would therefore be storing more potential energy. This energy would be released as the tendon shortened. Thus, the recoil of the tendon during the shortening phase of the movement would result in a more efficient movement than one in which no energy had been stored (Hof and van den Berg, 1986).
However the jury is still out as to why and how this enhancement takes place.”
(Wikipedia)
Injury prevention
”Voluminous work of moderate intensity is required to strengthen the tendons, joints and ligaments ”(Verkhoshansky 1985, programming and organization of training).
These structures develop at a slower rate than muscles, which can lead to injuries if people rush to lift too heavy too soon or do a maximal effort on the field, before their bodies are ready for it.
Sounds like one more reason to keep working long sets, and to get out the jump rope!
