Ok before I keep digging a hole for myself - I am no expert - these are just my theories from my limited ameteur expereinces and readings on the whole CNS concept!!!
I’m sure Charlie and the others will be able to find big errors in my hypotheses!
But here they are for discussion anyway …
These are my thoughts …
“CNS fatigue is a gradual reduction in the effeciency of elements of the nervous system such as the Spinal Cord, cerebelum, parasympathetic system, midbrain and diencephalon.”
“It appears gradual - in that as the fatigue progresses the reduction in operation progresses.”
For example -
The degree of fatigue will affect the athlete gradually - fine motor control my start to diminsh and then gross motor control.
I would speculate that with extreme CNS fatigue taste, hearing and visual systems would be affected negatively.
However since we deal mostly with athleets we never expereince that degree of fatigue since we would expect a breakdown (injury) before reaching that stage.
“CNS stress is concurrent - the various componenst of the CNS seem to be affected simulataneously - but from an athletic perspective to varying degrees.”
Different elements of the CNS diminish slowly, some at greater degrees than others. In other words all elements will be affected slowly and gradually.
“Certain substances can permit both an extenstion of CNS effeciency and a heightening of CNS control.”
By the way I’mnot talking about dark arts here - caffiene is one such supp
“With use of such substances there will always be a debt or price to be paid as the body recovers.”
“Supplements cannot directly restore CNS”
“Adrenal fatigue increases the rate of and speed of CNS fatigue”
“Rest is the single best method of restoring the CNS”
“Supplements can only ever assist in clearing the way for neurotransmitter regeneration, speeding neurotransmitter operation.”
Post physical exertion the organism (including CNS) must recover, massage, lympathic drainage, PWO recovery foods etc will speed muscluar recovery (ie physcial recovery) and therefore reduce the overall stress on the organism permitting CNS regeneration.
Does it follow the fresher the organism the higher the CNS fatigue created by a one off bout can be?
(I would be happier letting Charlie, PJ or Pakewi answer here)
If your talking about a 100m max effort - I would answer yes - as the various factors listed can be used to the maximum.
Also the higher the grade of athlete the greater the CNS fatigue I think.
How do you find the cumulative effect of CNS fatigue.
Well this is the problem - how do you measure CNS fatigue first of all?
Do you use tap-tests or Omega wave?
Like I say I was working on a very basic set of heursitics at the begining of the year so I could balance and monitor CNS fatigue (in weights sessions and running) for a footballer.
I think you can get to a certain level of measurement but - it got to the stage where it became more work that the sessions!
But personally - I do think there may be potential in using such a system to design training programs.
Does each additional maximal attempt create a lower level of CNS fatigue because you are not fresh?
Certainly that would be my perception.
Is there a point where you are so fatigued that you can’t produce CNS stress.
No - I think that other factors would come into play - injury!
CNS fatigue would lead to reduced concentration, redcued propricetion and thus at extreme stress -injury.
