Page 30 - AERIAL ACROBATICS & CALISTHENICS VOL. 1 (ENG).pdf

1.8 → WHAT COMES FIRST, TECHNIQUE OR STRENGTH TRAINING?
This is a highly controversial topic, given that a large number of training pro- grams focus on developing technique before strength on the understanding that muscular fatigue will be minimal and this would allow the body to learn the proper technique.
However, depending on our objectives, our fitness level, the quality of our tech- nique, and the programming of our training plan, in the same day we could first do a training session focused on developing strength (maintaining the proper movement technique) and then another training session focused on technique development.
Sometimes we could even train technique through workout fatigue if our tech- nique is strong enough and has been consolidated, to be able to maintain it af- ter a highly intense workout session. Alternatively, we could include in our train- ing session additional sets at a lower intensity or, at the end of our sets, include additional repetitions at a lower intensity. In both cases that would focus on spe- cific technique, allowing our body to memorize the correct movement patterns.
Independently of the training method we decide to follow, we always have to make sure we perform our strength training using the proper technique in order to prevent injuries and ensure we are learning good body patterns.
When we perform a movement, it is critical that the last repetitions are properly executed, since these will help us consolidate our “muscle memory”.
One of the major factors to keep in mind, determining how successfully a move- ment pattern becomes part of our muscle memory, is the amount of practice and repetition. We should also add variability to our training sessions to allow us to create different neural links for the same task.
The more complex the movement, the longer this process can be.
Motor memory (muscle memory): repeating a movement many times strengthens the neural linkag- es in the motor cortex, allowing us to perform tasks subconsciously.
CH. 1. BASIC TRAINING PRINCIPLES
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