A couple of posts ago I discussed the merits and pitfalls of the current trend of "functional training". Since then, I have come across a couple of things that reinforce my beliefs on the topic.
I recently read a description of a weight training program for the Australian National Track Cycling Team. I was thrilled in my usual exercise physiology dork sort of way to read that the coaches not only used a variety of very intense weight training exercises (read: HEAVY) to strengthen their cyclists but they even went as far as to measure the hip and knee joint angles during the cycling movement and then replicated these angles during weight lifting. Specificity, baby! That's what I'm talking about! Mark Twight at Gym Jones agrees that the joint angle issue must be respected. This is not just our collective opinion here. There is a tremendous amount of science supporting these techniques. It is well-known that muscles only strengthen within the range they are trained. These same coaches have also abandoned most of the two-legged movements in favor of doing all of the lifting and plyometrics off one leg.
The other item I came across that actually inspired this update was a video by former Olympic mogul skier, Johnny Moseley. The video below is Moseley dryland training. Clearly, he is not engaging in any circus-trick nonsense, balancing on balls or other such idiocy. Watch the dryland clip and then his gold medal run below it and it's magnificently obvious how well he was able to replicate the demands of mogul skiing without snow. Admittedly, the speed of forward movement is different but the neurologic impact to the skiing-specific musculature are nearly identical I would argue. No wonder he was such a bad ass! This is the kind of training dedication and creativity that breeds champions. Strive for more. - Brian