Exercise Before a Big Game..?
Professional Boxer Steven Sumpter and I at his most recent bout.
On Feb. 25, I put professional boxer Steven Sumpter through a neural charge before his fight the next day. Sumpter went on to knock out his opponent with a jab in the first round. Matt Lee, a Kansas State baseball commit, clocked in at 90 mph the day after a neural charge as well.
I’m not claiming that the neural charges were the reason for these athletes’ success, but they certainly enhanced their preparation, which resulted in athletic success.
What is a Neural Charge?
A neural charge is a low rep and high intent routine that’s sole purpose is to reset your central nervous system.
The main focus during the neural charge is allowing the athlete to fully recover so that they can give maximum effort going into the next set. Due to these explosive loading methods, neural charge training impacts all levels of neuromuscular function. These include neurotransmitter uptake and release, excitation-contraction coupling, and motor unit recruitment.
The benefits of this training are:
- Enhancing work capacity.
- Stimulating the release of anabolic hormones
- Loading more nutrients into the muscle
- Increasing insulin sensitivity
- Jumpstarting recovery
This type of exercise could certainly benefit any athlete before a big game or before a max-out day. This regiment can improve short-term success in athletic competition.
