From: g-martin1@uiuc.edu (Gregory A. Martin)
Subject: Re: Strength Shoe
Originator: gamg6900@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu
Reply-To: g-martin1@uiuc.edu (Gregory A. Martin)
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1992 11:53:38 GMT

chin@controls.com (Kirk Chin) writes:

>Keywords:

>I seen in volleyball magazines an advertisement for a strength
>shoe. Each shoe appears to have a block about 2-3" glued under the toe 
>area. The ad claims 5-9" of increased vertical. Has anyone tried it or heard
>about someone using it and what kind of results were actually achieved ?

>Kirk
> 

I owned a pair of Strength Shoes - I was sold on the idea of significantly
increasing my vertical jump. The shoes basically have a block on the
front half of the soles, and it feels like you're standing on your toes
when you wear them. Since there is no support under the heel, your calf
muscles and ankles have to do all the work of keeping you standing. The
workout consists of sprinting, jumping in place, side-stepping, hopping,
and variations thereon. The claimed benefits are lengthening of the calf
muscles, increased flexibility in the ankle (to reduce injuries),
increased speed, jumping, and lateral quickness. Also there is supposed
to be a benefit in muscle learning because you do "real-life" exercises
instead of mindless repetitive weightlifting. These are the relevant
points in the order I learned them:

GOOD: The workout is quite intense and, regardless of vertical jump
benefits, is a good thing for a serious volleyball player to do - it's
good aerobic and anaerobic training. If used regularly the shoes DO
improve your vertical jump - how much will be a function of the
individual and the intensity. There is no doubt the workout does stress
some of the muscles used in jumping, and over time they will increase in
strength and power. You do feel quicker after the program.

BAD: You look REALLY goofy doing the workout - no problem if you want
to be the center of attention. If you do the workout right your muscles
are stressed heavily and need considerable time to recover. I found I was
essentially worthless for at least two days after each workout - the
leg muscles were sore and would not perform like I wanted them to. Attempts
to play volleyball during these recovery periods were extremely frustrating
(after the recovery period things did feel stronger and faster). Lastly,
the workouts are VERY harsh on the joints, especially the knees and ankles.
This seems to be a common feature of all plyometric training.

ADVICE: These shoes are for serious athletes only. Physical improvements
require overall increases in strength and joint stability. Without a good
foundation of strength and fitness the shoes are dangerous. If you do
have a good strength base then go for it - if not then I recommend
sand jumping since it's much less stressful and also gives good results.

Here are the plain truths of training for volleyball:
1) Any attempts to increase your physical abilities MUST start with a
   rigorous whole body weightlifting program.
2) To jump higher, do a lot of jumping.   
3) Physical improvements are hard. For most people, improving their
   volleyball skills is far and away the wisest use of time. Find the
   good players and emulate them. Ask them what you do wrong.
4) Play a lot of volleyball, every day if possible, and play with people
   better than you.

Three years of experience speak behind this post. Greg Martin.
						  g-martin1@uiuc.edu
Newsgroups: rec.sport.volleyball