is zero: the maximum velocity, in an isolated
muscle or an individual fibre, occurs during
unloaded shortening. This situation cannot be
achieved with the muscle in situ because of the
mass of the limb segments that must be moved
and other biomechanical factors, and maximum
velocity is achieved when the load applied is less
than 20% of the maximum isometric force
that can be generated. The maximum values of
isometric force that can be achieved by human
muscle are approximately 15–30¥ 104 N·m^2
(Saltin & Gollnick 1982). The maximum force per
unit cross-sectional area of the muscle is not sig-
nificantly different between the different fibre
types (Faulkner & White 1990).
The known relationships between strength
and velocity of muscle contraction allow identifi-
cation of the main components of a programme
designed for developing the strength and power
characteristics of an athlete. For development
of the maximum isometric strength, training
622 sport-specific nutrition
should be carried out at forces between 70%
and 100% of the maximum voluntary isometric
strength. To improve performance where high
speeds of movement are required, the force
should not exceed 70% of maximum isometric
strength. Where high rates of power generation
are to be developed, the force applied during
training should be in the range of 40–70% of
maximum isometric force.Speed–strength sports
The 1996 Olympic Games included a number of
very different types of sport where strength and
speed are primary requirements for the partici-
pants (Table 47.1). These include:- Boxing: open to men only, including 12 weight
categories ranging from 48 kg to over 91 kg. - Judo: open to men (weight categories from
60 kg to over 80 kg) and women (from 48 to over
72 kg).
Table 47.1Profile of major championship sports with a high strength component and in which competition is by
weight category.
Wrestling
Boxing Judo Weightlifting
Greco-Roman
Parameters Male Male Female Male Female and freestyle
Weight 48 60 48 54 46 48
classes (kg) 51 65 51 59 50 52
54 71 56 64 54 57
57 78 61 70 59 62
60 86 66 76 64 68
63.5 90 72 83 70 74
67 Over 90 Over 72 91 76 82
71 99 83 90
75 108 Over 83 100
81 Over 108 130
91
Over 91
Match rules Three 2-min One 5-min bout Three lifts One 5-min period
rounds
Matches per No more No more than three No more than one No more than
day than one recommended in 2 three are
days recommended
Weigh-in rules 3 h before 2 h before competition 2 h before competition Night before
competition each day competition