Marykaa,
Regarding post-tetanic facilitation, coach Poliquin, Ian King, etc use it for wave loading. You do a 1RM for a lift, then after a few minutes, you perform a 6RM. The 1RM load potentiates your CNS, which in turn allows you to lift more weight for your 6RM than you’d typically be able to lift. The wave scheme would be 1,6,1,6,1,6 (or 4,1,4,1 …this one is to increase you 1RM). Do a google on wave loading or the 1-6 principle for a MUCH better explanation than I’ve provided.
Anyway, the CNS can “kick in” as well on later sets, without the wave loading. Example, doing 10 sets of 10 (German Volume Training), the first few sets will seem easy then progressively harder as fatigue sets in. However, do to a short-term CNS adaptation, sets 8 and 9 might seem easier than the first few sets.
Again, a google search will provide some articles that can explain it more thoroughly. I think dos’ idea may be more dead on though. Whatever the reason, it’s happened to me quite often as well e.g. getting more reps on a later set.
Hope this helped.
Another question…how are you doing your push ups i.e. arms shoulder width apart, wide, etc.? Just thinking you may want to consider raising your feet up on a bench or changing your hand placement to increase the overload…depending on your goal that is.
R
|