neptunesfall
11-11-2001, 02:14 AM
a very cool article i found on www.cyberkwoon.com (http://www.cyberkwoon.com)
http://www.cyberkwoon.com/html/article.php?sid=132
Twofold Path of Dynamic Tension
Posted by: mantis108
By Robert Hui July 21, 2001
“To go fast, one must first slow down” is a popular philosophical point of view in Chinese martial arts.
*Taijiquan, an internal art, uses this concept as a training methodology. Even an external style like the Hung Gar has dynamic tension form, Tit Sin Kuen, as strength and Qigong building routine. The slow and laborious movement of Tit Sin Kuen (Iron Wire Fist) best exemplifies dynamic tension, which is said to have the ability to transform a weakling into a strong person. Looking into the physiology of the dynamic tension, one can’t help but wonder the wisdom and knowledge of the masters of the pass. The vocabulary and terminology might not be the same because of cultural differences; however, it is quite remarkable if the western terminologies are used to analyze dynamic tension.
Dynamic Tension has a twofold path. It simultaneously uses musculoskeletal stresses and isotonic to build speed and strength. There is a powerful stretch and deliberate push action with a very focused mind. Breathing is coordinated through the intense yet relaxed mental focus.
The musculoskeletal stress, the stretch, as found in the Kiu Sao, is done with the hands raised at shoulder level. The tip of the upright open palms, fingers wide apart pointing upward and the thumbs pointing forward, should align both vertically and horizontally with the shoulders. Without loosing the alignment, the elbows are dropped in a deep V shape. After a 30 seconds pause, the fingers, except, the index fingers, are bent into claw shape. The hands are then drawn to the sides of the chest without loosing the stretch. A deliberate push follows and returns the hands to the starting position. This is done 3 times in horse stance. At the end of the third push all the stored energies would be released through a double-handed finger jab. The exercise is performed slowly and powerfully.
This upper limbs formation tightens the muscle spindle, which houses the intrafusal fibers that register the amount of stretch within a muscle. The nerve cells that are wrapped around the intrafusal fibers send a signal to the central nervous system (CNS.) The signal although strong would not trigger the stretch reflex that generates a contraction, which would stop the stretching as to prevent injury. Mental focus prevents premature release of power. This promotes the sensitive of the muscle spindle and simulates the communication between the CNS, and the intrafusal fiber along with its adhering nerve cells. The stronger the communication, the better the neural hypertrophy, which usual happens within 3 to 4 weeks into the training. The intrafusal fibers store energy which purpose is to contract the muscle spindle to a safer length to prevent injury. The size and strength of the intrafusal fibers determine the amount of energy that they can store.
Isotonic, which is anaerobic based, is introduced once the claw is ready. The deliberate pushing motion recruits the Type 2B muscle fibers; also known as fast twitch fibers B, which is the thickest in size of the extrafusal fibers. The muscles fibers, which are different from the intrafusal fibers, are essentially being starve of oxygen and are caused to break down. The chemical process, which is affectionately know as the burn among the strength training circles, is described as Qi manifestation in Chinese martial arts term. As the muscles fibers heal they becomes thicker in diameter, which allows them to store more energy. Muscular hypertrophy, gain in muscle mass, happens about 3 to 4 months time into the training. The fast twitch muscle B can contract very quickly. They provide the power to handle heavy workload.
The stretch and the push must be done at the same time. At the apex of the stretch-push, enormous amount of energy is stored. When the CNS finally receives the signal to return the intrafusal and extrafusal muscle fibers to the rest state. A fast and powerful contraction would release all the stored energy though the straightening of the arms with the finger jabs. Both the speed and power augmentation is achieved because dynamic tension addresses both the neural and muscular hypertrophy. Think of it as having both a race car engine and a dissel truck engine at the same time.
The twofold path of dynamic tension satisfies the ancient Chinese philosophical point of view. Furthermore, it is well within the scientific scope of modern training theories as well. Go slow before going fast is not mere motto to enchant martial artists. It is a valid training philosophy, which contains the wisdom of the master of yesteryears.
http://www.cyberkwoon.com/html/article.php?sid=132
Twofold Path of Dynamic Tension
Posted by: mantis108
By Robert Hui July 21, 2001
“To go fast, one must first slow down” is a popular philosophical point of view in Chinese martial arts.
*Taijiquan, an internal art, uses this concept as a training methodology. Even an external style like the Hung Gar has dynamic tension form, Tit Sin Kuen, as strength and Qigong building routine. The slow and laborious movement of Tit Sin Kuen (Iron Wire Fist) best exemplifies dynamic tension, which is said to have the ability to transform a weakling into a strong person. Looking into the physiology of the dynamic tension, one can’t help but wonder the wisdom and knowledge of the masters of the pass. The vocabulary and terminology might not be the same because of cultural differences; however, it is quite remarkable if the western terminologies are used to analyze dynamic tension.
Dynamic Tension has a twofold path. It simultaneously uses musculoskeletal stresses and isotonic to build speed and strength. There is a powerful stretch and deliberate push action with a very focused mind. Breathing is coordinated through the intense yet relaxed mental focus.
The musculoskeletal stress, the stretch, as found in the Kiu Sao, is done with the hands raised at shoulder level. The tip of the upright open palms, fingers wide apart pointing upward and the thumbs pointing forward, should align both vertically and horizontally with the shoulders. Without loosing the alignment, the elbows are dropped in a deep V shape. After a 30 seconds pause, the fingers, except, the index fingers, are bent into claw shape. The hands are then drawn to the sides of the chest without loosing the stretch. A deliberate push follows and returns the hands to the starting position. This is done 3 times in horse stance. At the end of the third push all the stored energies would be released through a double-handed finger jab. The exercise is performed slowly and powerfully.
This upper limbs formation tightens the muscle spindle, which houses the intrafusal fibers that register the amount of stretch within a muscle. The nerve cells that are wrapped around the intrafusal fibers send a signal to the central nervous system (CNS.) The signal although strong would not trigger the stretch reflex that generates a contraction, which would stop the stretching as to prevent injury. Mental focus prevents premature release of power. This promotes the sensitive of the muscle spindle and simulates the communication between the CNS, and the intrafusal fiber along with its adhering nerve cells. The stronger the communication, the better the neural hypertrophy, which usual happens within 3 to 4 weeks into the training. The intrafusal fibers store energy which purpose is to contract the muscle spindle to a safer length to prevent injury. The size and strength of the intrafusal fibers determine the amount of energy that they can store.
Isotonic, which is anaerobic based, is introduced once the claw is ready. The deliberate pushing motion recruits the Type 2B muscle fibers; also known as fast twitch fibers B, which is the thickest in size of the extrafusal fibers. The muscles fibers, which are different from the intrafusal fibers, are essentially being starve of oxygen and are caused to break down. The chemical process, which is affectionately know as the burn among the strength training circles, is described as Qi manifestation in Chinese martial arts term. As the muscles fibers heal they becomes thicker in diameter, which allows them to store more energy. Muscular hypertrophy, gain in muscle mass, happens about 3 to 4 months time into the training. The fast twitch muscle B can contract very quickly. They provide the power to handle heavy workload.
The stretch and the push must be done at the same time. At the apex of the stretch-push, enormous amount of energy is stored. When the CNS finally receives the signal to return the intrafusal and extrafusal muscle fibers to the rest state. A fast and powerful contraction would release all the stored energy though the straightening of the arms with the finger jabs. Both the speed and power augmentation is achieved because dynamic tension addresses both the neural and muscular hypertrophy. Think of it as having both a race car engine and a dissel truck engine at the same time.
The twofold path of dynamic tension satisfies the ancient Chinese philosophical point of view. Furthermore, it is well within the scientific scope of modern training theories as well. Go slow before going fast is not mere motto to enchant martial artists. It is a valid training philosophy, which contains the wisdom of the master of yesteryears.