The Problem With Fitness Science

You will hear myself and other fitness professionals utilize science to validate our point. Often times, this information is used for good and helps you understand why we are making such a recommendation.

I wish I could say that science always gave us the answers we needed, but this is just not the case. Science surrounding fitness is great for general understanding, but it rarely if ever speaks to an individual directly. Often times, the science can be in opposition with the individuals specific needs and can propel them backwards rather than forwards.

Let me give you a partially hypothetical scenario that I am basing off of numerous studies I have reviewed.

It is common in determining the amount of muscle that can be built, that scientists use the leg extension as a means of measuring strength and as an exercise to regularly use to review the amount of muscle developed. You may read in a research paper the following…

“Both the placebo group and group who consumed 5 grams of ____________ performed 3 sets of leg extensions for 8-10 repetitions each. The leg extensions were performed on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Strength was documented as was body composition on a weekly basis for eight weeks.”

Even if diets were controlled, whatever the scientists were measuring would be skewed compared to what happens in the real world. In the real world it would be rare if ever to find an individual that followed such a workout program. Growth would be limited overall due to the lack of variance in exercises but strength would be profound as the repetition of the exercise would develop intramuscular connections and establish what we know in the world as the mind muscle connection.

The reason scientists use these types of measurements is because they are predictable, repeatable, and can be easily measured. This is completely understandable as trying to measure a traditional workout program found in the gym would create too many variability to maintain consistency.

I believe that today we have an epidemic of over-training in the gym, coupled with an under-nourishing. Laboratory research will never help us establish the proper nutrition protocol for individuals who are unwilling to back down their training because they enjoy the therapeutic, social and cognitive benefits of regular strength exercise.

As an instructor for the International Sports Science Association, I believe that the benefit of science is invaluable, but even within our textbooks, you will find much context surrounding the science that leaves room for negotiation from what we find in the lab and what exists in the world.

The takeaway is to remember that what you read that is based on science may not directly be applicable to your situation, and or, you may need to make modifications to your training, nutrition, or supplement program if you want the science to be agreeable with your lifestyle. Science is not the end all be all of fitness, and it is up to you to make the best decision with the knowledge you have, so that your program is completely personalized to your specific needs.