Connective Tissue Explanation

[Nidhish S]

In Power To The People, Pavel writes that muscular neurology is set up that one's musculature hardly ever approaches 30 percent of potential tendon and connective tissue strength and that even an extremely well trained powerlifter only reaches around 50. 

 

In my own experience I've found that joint pain has more to do with range of motion deficits than with being too strong and that it all goes away either with massage or with focused mobility work, and importantly, doesn't come back with continued training. People like Kelly Starrett and Jill Miller have the same perspective.

 

Coach says that a connective tissue / muscular strength imbalance manifests itself through joint pain and that means that one must train slower - but the two facts above don't seem to jive with that explanation.

 

Coach also says that the best way to develop connective tissue strength is through dynamic work (in the forums) - but then says that the reason that high reps are used is to prepare the joints (in the interview with Robb Wolf). I understand that high reps flood the tissues with blood but, those things are almost diametrically opposite. 

 

What gives?

[Douglas Wadle]

you've never had tendinitis or an overuse injury?  what about tennis elbow or IT Band syndrome?  You're in the minority if you haven't, because connective tissue (of which muscle is part of this designation) injuries are widespread and common.  when people have these problems, they don't usually have a muscle problem, they have a tendon problem.  this is what we're getting at.  regardless of the strength of the tissue, this is where the injuries occur.  Your other questions don't make a lot of sense and suggest that you really haven't looked into coach's training methodology, nor had much experience with physical therapy.  Sounds like you've been lucky thus far, for which you should be grateful.  

[Jason Dupree]

True, this is how people can lift cars off of children, the rest of that %100 is unlocked.

That's only one fact though, and you mention two. The other was anecdotal. Fact: Tendonitis and similar forms of joint pain are not caused by a lack of mobility. They are caused by overuse and overreaching. The connective tissue is too weak to handle the training load and or volume, so you must dial it back.

Coach has worked with two very distinct groups: national level gymnasts and zombified adults. For us zombies, high reps are very important to build a foundation. After that dynamic and strength work can be used. What's best for an elite athlete is not always best for a beginner.