One of the most toted phrases currently used by the common gym-goer is the "muscle confusion". Alot of people cite this as a reason to change their workout programs every 4 to 6weeks. But I am going to discredit this phrase based on three sound principles regarding strength and conditioning programs. The first principle I am going to discuss is the Identity Principle this states that a thing can only be that thing it can be no more or no less. This being said the very idea of a confused muscle breaks this principle. How can a muscle become confused? How does a muscle know whether you are training with a dumbbell or kettlebell? The answer to this is a muscle can't. A muscle does not have eyes, ears, or a mind it is simply muscle fibers bundled together connected to motor units that are controlled by the individuals brain. So to say that you are achieving results due to muscle confusion is incorrect and is a bad justification to changing one exercise program for another. But then how come when I decide to change my current workout program by using a different mode of training(this is what most people say to me when discussing muscle confusion because they seem to have been told that using barbells instead of dumbbells can trick your muscle into working harder)? This reasons for the gains following a change in an individual's workout program is a direct result of one thing added intensity or difficulty to the exercise program. Any good strength and conditioning program is built upon atleast one identical principle and that is The Principle of Progression. The Principle of Progression states that for any improvements or changes to be made or see from our current state we must force are training to progress by using a number of different methods including a change in mode, volume, set and rep scheme, and weight used during a particular exercise. What has come to be labeled as muscle confusion is just truthfully the progression principle in action. You see the so called plateau that every gym goers experiences after starting an exercise routine is a result of your body becoming conditioned to an equalized point with your current level of training meaning that no matter how many times your train if you continue to train at the same level you will see no more training effects. Most take this as a sign that they have peaked or that what they are currently doing for exercise isn't correct. False if you have made alot of progress thus far using your current method chances are you are exercising correctly so don't fall into the pit that it all comes down to confusing your muscle by switching what your current training program is the answer to your plateau is to simply push yourself to progress in any of the aforementioned areas. One can either increase volume of their current exercise routine meaning performing more sets and reps per workout, one can add intensity to the program through adding weight to each lift by 5lbs when a set is completed with target reps reached or one can use a different mode of training to stimulate an increase in intensity due to lack of strength in that new particular mode say going from machine weights to free weights. In any instance your muscle is never aware of these changes the only factor your muscle is aware of is the amount of fatigue and inroads that are being made to the muscle for each workout. The more inroads made during training the more progress that is made. Muscle confusion is a poor description of this process and gives the common gym goer a terrible understanding of the effectiveness of th
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Stevan FreebornHi I am ACSM Personal Trainer who has a passion for spreading the knowledge of healthy living. I will do my best to give you the information you need and want. If there is any topic you wish to know about please ask and I will share my full scope of knowledge on that topic and point you in the right direction to further your understanding. I hope you enjoy the site. Archives
September 2012
Categories
All
|