What is central nervous system training?

Central nervous system (CNS) training is focused on enhancing the coordination and function of the CNS, which plays a crucial role in muscle activation, strength development, and general physical control. The CNS acts as a governor, regulating muscle contractions and relaxation, assessing risk, and determining the safe levels of force generation. During movements like lifting weights, you are not just training the muscles but also the CNS's ability to control and coordinate these movements effectively.

CNS training involves exercises that push the CNS to adapt and improve its capability to handle greater loads and more complex movements. This includes training the body to feel safe while exerting more force, which involves developing better muscle control and stability. More demanding exercises like compound movements (e.g., squats, deadlifts) are particularly effective because they require coordinated effort from multiple muscle groups, making them more impactful for CNS development. The CNS also has the ability to override its usual restrictions under extreme stress, which can result in extraordinary feats of strength, although such instances can lead to injury 1 2.

Understanding and training the CNS is crucial for maximizing athletic performance, injury prevention, and overall movement efficiency.