CNS Training
Nervous System
The nervous system is divided into the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system (PNS), comprising cranial nerves and spinal nerves. The brain consists of two regions:
- Cerebellum - coordinates muscles to allow precise movements
- Diencephalon - contains two structures:
- Thalamus - acts as a relay station for incoming sensory nerve impulses, sending them on to the relevant areas of the brain for processing
- Hypothalamus - keeps conditions inside your body constant, e.g. regulating your body temperature
Receptor and effector organs
Receptor organs, including the ears, eyes and muscles, collect information (stimuli). The CNS then interprets this information and sends it back to 'effector' organs which carry out the body's response to the stimuli. Some actions are primarily automatic, such as the stretch/reflex involved in the leg muscles when jumping, but others appear to be more interpreted by the brain, like fatigue signals.
CNS Research
Research indicates that prolonged sports involvement influences how the CNS 'controls' muscular recruitment and patterning.
Researchers from Finland (Eloranta 2003)[2] investigated the influence of sports background on leg muscle coordination during concentric and dropped vertical jumps. They discovered that the CNS influenced the firing and recruitment patterns of the sports participants' muscles. They attributed these differences to the individuals' sport's specifics and the effect years of training had on the CNS.
They went on to conclude that, "Prolonged training in a specific sport will cause the central nervous system to program muscle coordination according to the demands of that sport" and also added, "the learned skill-reflex of the CNS seems to interfere in the performance of another task".
CNS training and 'quickness.'
Bompa (2005)[1] identifies two CNS processes related to sports performance - 'excitation' and 'inhibition'. The speed at which signals are sent from the receptors to effectors and back again results in excitation levels or inhibition. For example, to move the body as fast as possible when sprinting, the signal transference speed through the CNS also needs to be as fast as possible. An athlete's receptors and effectors need to be optimally excited and uninhibited to result in the optimum recruitment of fast-twitch muscle fibre.
However, CNS fatigue will slow the excitation speed, particularly within fast-twitch fibres, which fatigue much more rapidly than slow-twitch fibres. Consequently, Bompa believes exercises should only be performed as long as 'quickness' is possible.
Potentiation
Potentiation involves creating a set of stimulatory circumstances within the muscle firing complex that boosts neural excitation, motor unit and muscle fibre recruitment and reduce inhibition. Lifting weights before a plyometric workout (complex training) has been shown to enhance the plyometric activity's performance. However, any potentiating activity must not fatigue the CNS: otherwise, the reverse effect will be experienced.
Weight training
Bompa's philosophy (Bompa 2005)[1] regarding weight training to improve explosive power is that repetitions are the key training variable. He recommends a low number of repetitions (1 to 3), with loadings above 90% of 1RM, to develop the strength to boost speed and power and optimise the CNS's contribution, with a recovery 6 minutes between sets.
These loadings create a higher level of excitation and receptor/effector communication, more motor unit recruitment and greater neural stimulation. These loadings and recoveries are also recommended based on their contribution to maximum power and strength expression. They do not significantly increase muscle mass, which could be detrimental to an athlete's power to weight ratio.
Training planning
Bompa (2005)[1] advocates 48 hours of recovery between high-intensity CNS workouts. He also recommends that on the same training day, more of the same training can be performed; this is partly due to potentiation and the creation of time so that the next day can be used for CNS recovery. For example, a sprinter could perform a sprint speed workout and equally intense plyometrics on the same day. On the subsequent training day, workout options would be selected not to challenge the CNS - e.g. tempo runs (medium-paced runs that do not overly stress the anaerobic system). Consideration needs to be given to the training conducted in the past 24 hours.
Conclusion
Where speed and power are essential components in an event or sport, coaches and athletes need to plan specific training programmes. The training focus must be on the quality of execution (quickness) of an exercise, not the quantity.
Article Reference
This information on this page is adapted from Shepherd (2008)[3] with Electric Word plc's kind permission.
References
- BOMPA, T. (2005) Periodisation Training for sports. 2nd ed. Human Kinetics
- ELORANTA, V. (2003) Influence of sports background on leg muscle coordination in vertical jumps. ElectromyogrClin Neurophysiol, 43(3), p. 141-156
- SHEPHERD, J. (2008) Brain over brawn - CNS training for enhanced performance. Peak Performance, 261, p. 5-7
Page Reference
If you quote information from this page in your work, then the reference for this page is:
- MACKENZIE, B. (2000) CNS Training [WWW] Available from: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/cns.htm [Accessed