***The issue of overtraining is an interesting one which now and again crops
up during training discussions. Overtraining (acute, also known as
'overreaching' or chronic 'overtraining') may occur in two forms - overload
(too great an imposition of FORCE at any given instant or over a given
period) and overuse (too large a VOLUME over a given period). Of course, one
can have a combination of both types of overtraining. In other words, it
certainly is possible to overload a joint or part of the body with a light
mass accelerated rapidly or to overuse a joint by using a light load for too
long a period.
This model, however, does not take into account the effects of the different
types of fatigue, mainly because this model of the overtraining syndrome is
limited to consideration of biomechanical factors. A more extensive model
would also include the effects of the different types of slow and rapid,
local and general fatigue, as well as the influence of training loads on
neural stress and recovery. In this regard, it needs to be noted that the
ability of elite athletes to produce muscle tension and muscle relaxation
generally is far superior to that of less qualified athletes.
Thus, while unloaded Ball or Balance Board stability training may not stress
the muscles or other soft tissues enough to cause overtraining of either
sort, it may produce central or peripheral neural fatigue, which, if not
allowed to dissipate, may decrease one's stability in one's specific strength
and power training. Testing of this sort of training after-effect is not
easy, but subjectively a Rating of Technical Perfection in complex exercises
can offer some measure of impaired coordination (as in Ch 6 of the new
"Supertraining" Siff & Verkhoshansky).
There are a host of these issues which Western promoters of Ball and Balance
Board training apparently are unaware of, probably because they do not have
access to non-English sources of information or obscure scientific
references, so, if anyone is contemplating applying any weird and wonderful
methods of training, remember to examine carefully the underlying theory and
practical success with different levels of athlete over different stages of
the training plan.
Dr Mel C Siff
Denver, USA
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