The role of a strength coach is three fold:  1.) Do No Harm, 2.) Reduce Injury, 3.) Enhance Performance.  With the additional use of several biofeedback markers such as HRV (the state of the autonomic nervous system) and vertical jump (the state of the central nervous system) qualified coaches can more accurately prescribe stress to their respective populations.  There are plenty more markers to utilize, but we use these for convenience/economy in our small and individual groups at DSC.

 

There are certain periods within program blocks where deliberate pairings of both volume and intensity are increased, decreased, stay the same or move in different directions.  The traditional belief that volume and intensity are inversely related is false!  “The inverse relationship between volume and intensity is a myth.” (Tsatsouline) Each combination serves a result driven purpose.  Here are a few volume/intensity parings that solicit different adaptations.

As you can see in the above examples, volume and intensity are NOT always inversely related.  First we need to figure out whom it is we are training (training age)?  What quality/adaptation is it that we are seeking?  How much time do we have to solicit the gains (in-season, off-season, months, weeks, days before competition?  A well-structured program provides answers to these questions while concurrently providing a safe, well-coached environment.  Volume and intensity are very important program variables; each pairing provides a different stimulus and response. 

 

Reference

(1) Tsatsouline, Pavel, Beyond Bodybuilding, Dragon Door Publicatio