Training on instability devices reduces the athlete's overall agonist force production capacity and power output to less than what percent of what can be achieved in stable conditions?

Training on instability devices reduces the athlete's overall agonist force production capacity and power output to less than what percent of what can be achieved in stable conditions?

• A. 20%
• B. 50%
• C. 70%
• D. 90%

Answer: (C)

Instability demands extra neuromuscular control to keep the body balanced, which means the muscles you’re trying to drive (the agonists) can’t channel their force as effectively. You end up recruiting stabilizers and co-activating surrounding muscles, which reduces the net force and the speed of movement, so power output drops as well. The best answer reflects the common finding that, on unstable devices, the maximum force and power you can generate is less than about 70% of what you can achieve under stable conditions. In other words, you’re limited to under 70% of the stable-condition performance when using instability training. This is why instability work is typically used for neuromuscular control, balance, and technique at lighter loads, rather than for maximizing strength or power. The other percentages imply larger or smaller deficits that don’t align with how instability typically affects force output.

Instability demands extra neuromuscular control to keep the body balanced, which means the muscles you’re trying to drive (the agonists) can’t channel their force as effectively. You end up recruiting stabilizers and co-activating surrounding muscles, which reduces the net force and the speed of movement, so power output drops as well.

The best answer reflects the common finding that, on unstable devices, the maximum force and power you can generate is less than about 70% of what you can achieve under stable conditions. In other words, you’re limited to under 70% of the stable-condition performance when using instability training.

This is why instability work is typically used for neuromuscular control, balance, and technique at lighter loads, rather than for maximizing strength or power. The other percentages imply larger or smaller deficits that don’t align with how instability typically affects force output.