Recently an article "Toward an Understanding of Power"
was written in the
NSCA's Strength & Conditioning Journal (Oct 1999: 34-35), which
contained
some curious biomechanical definitions and calculations. Here are a few of
them for your interest:
1. "For instance, in cleaning a weight, the velocity of the bar is
equal to
its speed and the upward direction in which it moves."
2. "Strength times speed equals power"
3. Work = force x distance, where Force = Mass lifted,
Distance = gravity x height of pull
Gravity = 9.8 m per sec squared
The article then used the above definitions to calculate power and hence
compare the power generated in the Weightlifting clean and the
Powerlifting
deadlift, thus:
Power = Work/Time to execute lift
....but did not distinguish at all between mean power, power at any instant
and peak power during the lifts concerned (deadlifts and cleans).
Would anyone else care to comment on the material which I have quoted above?
In a letter to the editor of the journal, I stressed that one cannot casually
equate the vector, velocity, and the scalar, speed, especially in non-linear
dynamic lifts and that work is not simply force x distance in a system in
which force and direction of application of the force is changing throughout
the movement. I also pointed out the obvious errors in equating force with
mass and in defining Distance = gravity x height of pull.
The author of the article simply replied in the Aug 2000 issue of the same
Journal that:
" I had Dr L, chairman of the math/physics department at ........
University,
review the formula along with the comments. Dr L said that my calculations
are correct...... In trying to make the formula more understandable
to
people with no background in math and physics, I had added a few extra words
for clarification purposes, which to a purist was not acceptable."
Would anyone care to comment on this response, as well?
What concerns me is that this NSCA (National Strength & Conditioning
Association) publication reaches tens of thousands of its members all around
the world, many of whom do have at least 4 year degrees in physical
education, kinesiology, science, physical therapy and related fields.
The
NSCA administrates and awards the CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning
Specialist) qualification and Personal Trainer certification. It is widely
regarded as the definitive source of strength training information for
strength coaches and includes many highly qualified scientists in its ranks,
yet it seems quite contented to allow seriously misinterpreted scientific
information to reach its members.
The NSCA is not unique in this regard. Many other certifying bodies and
training organisations in the strength and fitness realm reveal a similar
attitude that their members "are not scientists" and need not be given
a
rigorous background to the simplified concepts that are taught to them.
While popularisation of difficult concepts is vital for the general public
and some folk such as the late Carl Sagan were masters at this, are these
organisations not doing their members and the strength/fitness professions a
grave disservice? Is there any solution to this problem?
Dr Mel C Siff
Denver, USA
http://www.egroups.com/group/supertraining