Fitness and Strength Training for All Sports : Theory, Methods, Programs [Paperback]

Jurgen Hartmann (Author), Harold Tunnemann (Author), Peter Klavora (Editor), Peter Gaskovski (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1995

This outstanding training manual equips the reader with basic theory and practical knowledge required for planning and designing effective strength training programs. Theory is presented in an easy to understand way. The research-based and practice-related form of presentation make this publication interesting and essential for P.E. teachers and coaches at all levels. Provides numerous sample strength and fitness training programs. The book is based on former East Germany's experiences in research and coaching of high performance athletes.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Systematic strength training involves the use of weights, body weight, and partner resistance to develop and enhance a variety of physical capacities, from all-round fitness to a high level of athletic performance. In particular, strength training improves the functional performance of the neuromuscular system, the system of muscles and nerve pathways that direct and control movement. This produces greater strength, superior athletic performance, health, and general fitness, including improved functioning of respiratory, cardiac, and metabolic systems.

Other improvements include: an increase in active muscle mass and a decrease in superfluous body fat, strengthening and toning of connective and supportive tissue, and improvement in posture and physique.

Strength training has several psychological benefits as well. It can boost self-confidence, increase motivation, perseverance, and discipline, and can also produce a strong commitment to health and fitness.

In recent years, most athletes have turned to strength training as a means of developing strength capacities that are relevant, or specific, to the demands of their particular sport. Both coaches and athletes now generally acknowledge that highly developed sport-specific strength is a decisive factor in high performance.

Effective strength training requires knowledge of both human musculature and training methodology. This book provides an in-depth study of both topics. The first half of the book deals with applied exercise physiology, covering topics such as the structure and physiological characteristics of muscle, its potential for strength training, types of muscle contraction, and the dynamics of the neuromuscular system. Flexibility and the implications of training fatigue and recovery, as well as basic nutrition are also discussed.

Research in exercise physiology, along with years of practical experience, has contributed to the development of a comprehensive methodology of training. The methods, together with numerous strength-training programs are presented in the second half of the book. The significance of sport- and event-specific strength training, the importance of proper execution techniques, and safety are all examined in detail.

Chapter 15 presents an extensive collection of exercises. Each exercise, designated by "E" followed by a number, is illustrated and briefly described. All exercise examples are based on free movements and involve one's own body weight, a partner or opponent, as well as weights, dumbbells, and barbells. Exercises using the Nautilus, Universal Gym, and similar apparati are not included in this book, as they are not designed for any serious sports training.

Equipped with the necessary tools and methods outlines in this book, coaches, physical education instructors, and athletes can design a variety of training programs to fulfill the objectives or requirements specific to individual sports and/or events.

This book, a translation of work originally published in (former East) Germany, represents a unique contribution to the sports training literature; it is intended for not only strength and recreational athletes who want to increase overall performance, but also for those athletes who want to increase types of strength specific to a sport or event.

Product Details

• Paperback: 345 pages
• Publisher: Sport Book Pub (January 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0920905420
• ISBN-13: 978-0920905425
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,041,768 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An mixed value book. Very good & very bad., October 22, 2009

By 

A. Zikas (Athens, GREECE) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fitness and Strength Training for All Sports : Theory, Methods, Programs (Paperback)

I am lucky enough to possess both the original German (Modernes Krafttraining, Sportverlag Berlin-1984) and the Greek edition (''''''' ''''''''' ''''''', '''''-1989)''''' of the "Fitne''''''''''''ss and Strength for All Sports" . This book is a special case you know.

These fine German scientists have collected enough data from the scientific pool of former East Germany and compiled an interesting text. Why this is book is of hybrid value? Cause it contains both valid and invalid information.

VALID SECTOR
The valid information of the textbook refers to the chapters relating to physiology, maximum strength, speed-strength, endurance-strength. Coaches of power sports may find this book very useful, for it contains methods & tools that can be used nowdays. There are some rare East German studies and citations for the theory-seeking guys and there are some interesting photos of exercises that involve a training partner, body-weight partner exercises.

INVALID SECTOR
The faulty, invalid and outdated information refers to the chapters relating to muscular hypertrophy. There are so many "bad" concepts inside that I would rather not mention. Some of the suggested programs inside the book are nearly impossible to be executed. Even if the audience of the book was elite, steroid-driven athletes, some of the hypertophy programs would be dangerous. I suspect that aforementioned chapter was copied from some 70s or 80s American bodybuilding book. The current opinions in training for muscular hypertrophy are contrapositive to Hartmann's-Tunnenmann's theory. In fact, I have known some young guys that followed the body-building information inside "Fitness and Strength for All Sports" and finally got injured. Performing so many sets of failure, and beyond failure sets at high intensities is extremely dangerous and counterproductive. As a modern strength coach i personally do not like the CNS overload especially in this very form. DANGER, OVERTRAINING SHOCK!
As a final notice, i would suggest all the body-builders and coaches to look elsewhere for up to date muscular hypertrophy information.

Final Verdict:

Theory: 60%
Methods: 60%
Programs: 60%
Total: 3 stars

Tassos Zikas
Strength & Conditioning Coach
[...]

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fitness and Strength Training for All Sports, June 5, 2001

By 

Wallace H Boyd (Jackson, MS USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fitness and Strength Training for All Sports : Theory, Methods, Programs (Paperback)

Outstanding book!! I have been looking a long time for a book that explains in detail the old soviet sports training techniques. Not only is this book detailed, it is written so that a novice can understand. This book explains Michael Yessis books in more detail. This is a must buy for anyone that wants to get in shape for a sport in the quickest and most efficient way.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read for Every Strength Coach and Personal Trainer, July 4, 2010

By 

John Paul Catanzaro - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fitness and Strength Training for All Sports : Theory, Methods, Programs (Paperback)

I have referenced this book by Hartmann & Tunnemann so many times ... and for good reason. It is mentioned in my Warm-Up to Strength Training DVD along with several of my articles. Fitness and Strength Training for All Sports is an absolute must read for every strength coach and personal trainer!