Dr Mel Siff Blog

Here’s the critique of Part II of Paul Chek’s Back Strong and Beltless

< http://www.t-mag.com/html/body_122back.html >

PART 2

<<Lahad et al concluded that sufficient evidence was unavailable to recommend
the use of mechanical back supports for the prevention of back pain. In
another study conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health, prophylactic use of back belts for healthy workers was not
recommended because of a lack of scientific evidence promoting their
benefit. There are also many other studies indicating belt use provides no
significant improvement in performance or reduction in the user’s chance of
injury. >>

***Virtually all of the studies that Chek quotes to condemn the use of a belt
are drawn from the world of manual labour or research studies with average Read more…

Bompa, in his book, “Periodization of Strength”, states that one should
develop joint flexibility before muscle strength, yet Russian research by
Iashvili (1982) and Tumanyan & Dzhanyan (1980) indicate that the most
effective way of training is to do both types of training concurrently.

A very simple and natural way of enhancing flexibility in the gym is to carry
out one’s normal exercises over a progressively increasing range and then use
a progressively heavier load over a progressively increasing range in
combined static and dynamic patterns of action. Why is it at all necessary
to execute flexibility exercises before strength exercises? Why not train in
such a way that the qualities of strength, power and flexibility are all
trained in integrated fashion at the same time? For example,I have had
many athletes who could barely manage a half squat and within a few months,
using this type of training, they have managed full squats without blocks
beneath their heels.

Moreover, in our “Supertraining” book, we identify the fitness qualities of
flexibility-strength, flexibility-endurance, flexibility-speed and
flexibility-skill in order to emphasize the importance of flexibility being
manifested under different conditions, rather than in some vague, generalised
form which applies under all circumstances.

There are so many books out there on alleged special secrets and great
advances in static, dynamic, active, passive, PNF and other forms of
flexibility training, all claiming to offer the most effective ways of
becoming supple. Why not simply train in the above progressively loaded,
progressive range manner using the actual exercises themselves to enhance
flexibility?

Note, in this regard, that I do not equate “flexibility” training with
“stretching” training, as I stated in an earlier post. The former refers to
Range of Movement (ROM) training to increase Range of Movement in the short-
and long term, whereas the latter refers to methods which deform the soft
tissues to create long term increase in range. Thus, if you need to deform
tissues that are limiting ROM, then you may need to carry out prolonged
static or passive stretches, lasting many minutes at a time.

Dr Mel C Siff