This to me is a perfect example.
Chris Beardsley (@S+CResearch) posted this on 2/3:
“CNS fatigue is often associated with heavy strength training using multi-joint exercises (like deadlifts). Yet, the research is very clear that CNS fatigue is greater after long-duration, low-intensity exercise than after short-duration, high-intensity exercise.”
First, let me say that I follow guys like Chris to stay abreast of “the research”.
When I read this Twitter post I have to say I got excited. Although we have often talked about how heavy lifts, sprints, jumps etc. might lead to CNS fatigue I think a lot of this is coaching conjecture. However, it is empirical evidence that seems to make some sense to me. In fact a few years ago we restructured our lifts to make them “less CNS intensive”, basically putting all our lower body stuff on one day.
On the flip side, I have always felt that doing lots of low intensity work for recovery makes no sense. I'd see things like “recovery circuits” and think “how can work be rest?"
Doing low intensity work for recovery didn't make empirical sense to me. As a result, our recovery work tended to be no work, just rest and passive interventions like rolling and stretching.
My mind jumped on this study as I read the tweet.
“the research is very clear that CNS fatigue is greater after long-duration, low-intensity exercise than after short-duration, high-intensity exercise.”
Then, I read the study.
“untrained subjects”
“seated isometric elbow flexion”
Suddenly, my mind said “whoa, wait a second."
That research suddenly isn't very clear and, the tweet over extrapolates the study.
Read this now for the third time after realizing the study actually involved untrained males and females doing what amounts to an iso bicep curl.
“CNS fatigue is often associated with heavy strength training using multi-joint exercises (like deadlifts). Yet, the research is very clear that CNS fatigue is greater after long-duration, low-intensity exercise than after short-duration, high-intensity exercise.”
I struggle to see the connection? Thoughts?