Power Bands and Track Cycling

Leading strength and conditioning trainers know Power Bands can be used to:

1. Train primal movement patterns
2. Train combinations of isometric, concentric and eccentric strength
3. Train explosive strength
4. Train power endurance
5. Stretch

A recent experience taught me something else that Power Bands can be utilized for.

World Championship Track Cycling Training Camp

I was invited to a National World Championship Cycling camp to assess and treat some of the cyclists. At the conclusion of the camp I gave the cyclists some Power Bands to experiment with until I met with them again. I often give my patients supplementary exercises to reinforce the postural changes and movement improvement I am aiming to effect.

When we touched base again during the actual World Championships three weeks later I had prepared a list of exercises toprescribe them – however I was surprised. The cyclists had devised their own exercises that I hadn’t considered – which were more applicable than what I had in mind.

Elite athletes are intrinsic

Elite athletes know what works. An elite cyclist spends their training riding a bike – they don’t cross train. The World Track Championship cyclists had used the Power Bands to mimic the exact movement patterns required during their track event – namely the start where maximum force is applied through the pedals with a stiff torso to get to top speed as quickly as possible. They explained to me conventional weight lifting i.e. deadlifts gave them too much fatigue and they preferred utilizing a unique exercise – as they had invented.

Mimicry

If you ride a bike, and want to ride better – how can this observation help you? Power Bands can be used to mimic the exact actions that you are the weakest at, or want to improve, or to activate muscles that are switched off.

Keep in mind

Use good posture (standing, bending or sitting) before, during and after the exercise. This applied to good cycling posture also. For example if you train with Power Bands with a slumped spine you are creating a poor engram that will be difficult to rectify and it createspotential for future overuse injury and poor performance.

And

How did the cyclists perform at the World Championships? They raced each other in the final and took home the Gold and Silver medals.

Dr. Aaron Anderson
Sport Scientist & Osteopath
somaosteo.com.au