[hlnx1]

Strength and power are related but not the same. Strength is how much force you can produce; power is force multiplied by velocity, how quickly you can produce it.

• For most endurance athletes, a base of heavy strength work is the first priority; it tends to improve economy and resilience
• Power and reactive work (jumps, hops, sprints) builds on that base and may help stiffness and running economy
• Heavy strength work with low reps does not seem to add bulk in endurance athletes who keep a high training volume
• For sprint finishes, hills and surges, both qualities contribute

Background: force-velocity profiling.

Do you train more for strength, power or both?

[hlnx1]

A simple order across a season: early base, 6-8 weeks of heavy strength (3-6 reps); then keep one heavy lift and add power elements such as box jumps, bounds or short hill sprints; close to races, a small maintenance dose of both.

[Author]

Posts