Force potential is the maximal amount of force one could possibly express if all contractile properties were to act in an optimal fashion. It is dependent on the raw physiological properties of the body. Force expression is the amount of force one actually expresses in a movement. Force expression is much more complex. It involves the dynamic nature of skill (neuromuscular timing), which is what ultimately the limiting variable in force expression. Think about jumping to dunk versus performing a single arm, maximal arm flexion against an isokinetic device. Both movements require maximal force expression (in context) to get the best results, but the complexity of the jump compared to the single arm flexion is exponentially greater.
In the weight-room, we typically only think about increasing force potential. For the most part, this can get you pretty far. Assuming the strength training doesn’t hinder your skill, by increasing your force potential, you increase the size of the pie from which your force expression is pulling from. So, assuming you express only 50% of the maximal potential force, by doubling the size of the pie, you double the magnitude of what 50% represents.
Developing potential on the left and expression force on the right
The issue with only focusing on force potential is that you cannot linearly increase your physiological abilities. Thus, there comes a point where working on maximal force expression becomes most beneficial. This is basically the cornerstone of Dynamic Correspondence. Train movements that will not only increase force potential, but also increase force expression. However, it should be noted that these movements fall within a spectrum of emphasis to either force expression and force potential. The more specific and dynamic the movement becomes, the more the emphasis moves towards expression.
The funny thing is that if you fall on either side of the coin, all force expression or all force potential, you are missing out. Neither one is innately better than the other. Instead, they should be viewed as complementary. Finding the best methods to train both is what will optimize results. However, this world of training is funny at times and it’s hard not to notice that these complementary qualities can actually hinder each other when the planning is not proper. Spending all day on expression may limit the energetic reserves to increase force potential in training and visa versa. Thus, a logical mix of the two need to be put together in a fashion that follows basic biological principles of adaptation and the neurological properties of skill development to work in coexistence.
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