FTP #21: Greg Haff, PhD – Strength training in road cycling: Are we still afraid of lifting weights?

FTP #20: Sara Oikawa, PhD – New developments in collagen research: implications for endurance athletes
January 26, 2020
FTP #22: Ida Heikura, PhD student – Periodization of energy and carbohydrate availability for endurance athletes: What’s new?
March 11, 2020

FTP #21: Greg Haff, PhD – Strength training in road cycling: Are we still afraid of lifting weights?

Greg Haff, PhD

Twitter profile: @Doc_Haff

Instagram profile: Doc_Haff

Guest Bio

G. Gregory Haff is the Professor of Strength and Conditioning at the School of Medical and Health Sciences at Edith Cowan University. Professor Haff is a Fellow of the National Strength and Conditioning Association. He served as the President of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) from 2015-2018. Professor Haff is the co-editor of the 4th edition of the “NSCA Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning” and is a popular speaker at national and international conferences. He currently serves as the Sport Scientist on the Australian Weightlifting High Performance Commission.

Professor Haff has consulted with the Chinese Olympic Committee (weightlifting/rowing), the English Institute of Sport (Track Cycling/Netball/Weightlifting),  and professional sports teams (Jacksonville Jaguars, Adelaide Crows, Western Force, Wildcats, West Coast Fever, including several other teams). From 2003-2004 he served as a member of the United States Olympic Committee Performance Enhancement Team for Weightlifting. In 2011 he was awarded the NSCA’s William J. Kraemer Sport Scientist of the Year Award for his applied sport science research. Additionally, in 2014, Dr. Haff was named the United Kingdom Strength & Conditioning Association: Strength & Conditioning Coach of the Year for Education and Research.

Professor Haff is a Level 3 Weightlifting Coach in the United States and Australia. He has served as the Head Coach of the Australian Jr Men’s and Women’s Oceania Weightlifting Teams and as an Assistant Coach with the Australian Sr Women’s National Weightlifting Team. He is an Australian Strength and Conditioning Association Level-2 Strength Coach, a United Kingdom Strength and Conditioning Association Accredited Strength and Conditioning Coach, and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA).

On this episode:

  • The basics of strength training for endurance athletes
  • Influence of strength training in cycling performance variables (VO2 max, FTP, power output, cycling economy, etc)
  • The “poor culture” of strength training in cycling and the fear of gaining weight
  • Strength training for the different cycling specialties
  • Periodizing strength training in a regular Pro cycling season
  • Beneficial impact on bone mineral density
  • Carbohydrate requirements for strength training
  • The use of creatine in cyclists
  • Minimizing strength losses when transitioning to the following season

Articles mentioned during the episode:

Kawamori, N., & Haff, G. G. (2004). The optimal training load for the development of muscular powerThe Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research18(3), 675-684.

Koch, A. J., Haub, M. D., Comeau, M. J., Kuphal, K. E., Haff, G. G., Jacobsen, D. J., … & Potteiger, J. A. (1999). EFFECTS OF CARBOHYDRATE INGESTION ON REPEATED HIGH INTENSITY CYCLING PERFORMANCEMedicine & Science in Sports & Exercise31(5), S119.

Brady, C. J., Harrison, A. J., Flanagan, E. P., Haff, G. G., & Comyns, T. M. (2019). The Relationship Between Isometric Strength and Sprint Acceleration in SprintersInternational journal of sports physiology and performance1(aop), 1-8.

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