Strength Speed: Technology & Training for Sprinter Speed (& Long Jump)

Sometimes, thinking out of the box is a good thing. If you are getting the same results with old antiquated methods, it’s time to try new things.

This book is about technology and training for sprinter speed and long jump.  ”Powersprint” is a new type of machine apparatus for specific strength training for speed. The book is presented with scientific methods based on muscle strength.

The author, Jan Melén, is a former Swedish coach and Physical Education teacher.  The book gives examples of describing technology and training according to coach Tom Tellez and the Swedish sprinter Henrik Olausson.

>> Buy the book here on Amazon.com: Strength Speed. Technology and training for sprinter speed and long jump

>> Click here for the Powersprint®- strength, technique and speed… Sprint weight training for speed with Powersprint web site.

The author has great insight in muscle physiology and strength development for speed and is suggesting training methods that form a very interesting mix of traditional resistance strength methods as well as new, unorthodox and perhaps “groundbreaking” methods.

The book can be summarized as a mini-course in muscle physiology and strength training for speed. Then it shifts gears and becomes a mini bio-mechanics course in speed and sprint running (as well as long jump). Finally, it becomes a user manual for his Powersprint apparatus with good explanations on the how’s and why’s you are doing what you do.

Detailed Weekly and Annual training plans are included, along with plenty of illustrations.

Basically, the argument is the Olympic lifts, such as the Clean and Snatch, are popular because it works the same muscles as in sprinting. With the Powerspint device, you could come much closer to the actual sprint stride, with better mobility and power in the hip extension.

Even though the book is barely 80 pages, it’s packed with information and not light reading. Highly recommend only for the advanced coach. Beginner coaches will probably have to search other references to further understand some of the topics presented here.

Here are two free references (PDF docs) that are a sample of what to expect in the book.

>> Sprint.pdf

>> Training with Powersprint machine.pdf