The terms “explosive strength and speed” are used a lot these days when referring to athletic training. Explosive strength and speed are specific kinds of power that are only developed with short bursts of effort and cannot be executed at a lower speed because the weight of the activity is too heavy. To be successful, the athlete must engage the entire body and incorporate kinetic power and not rely solely on muscular power. For example, an athlete may not be able to perform a forty-pound shoulder press with a bar when relying solely on arm and shoulder strength in a slow manner. However, that same athlete may be able to perform the same press when engaging the entire body and performing an explosive, fast press. Sports that require explosive strength and speed include soccer, lacrosse, basketball, short distance track, hockey, and more.
Many athletes are fit in areas that involve lower speeds and less explosive activity. Explosive speed and power come from integration of many muscles working together synergistically. Without full integration of the body, explosive power doesn’t ever result. When an athlete runs at low speed there is potential for isolation or separation of the body in a way that can’t exist in a full sprint. When an athlete performs a squat, the speed is slow enough that the exercise does not require the entire body to work in unison; however, when the athlete squats in an explosive way (e.g. jumping up on a bench) and continues that effort for 30 seconds, the body is forced to call upon many more muscles to create exponentially more power than in a slower, less intense version.
