Specific Adaptation

INTRODUCTION
Adaptation, in biology, the process by which a species becomes fitted to its environment; it is the result of natural selection’s acting upon heritable variation over several generations. Organisms are adapted to their environments in a great variety of ways: in their structure, physiology, and genetics, in their locomotion or dispersal, in their means of defense and attack, in their reproduction and development, and in other respects.

SAID{SPECIFIC ADAPTATION TO IMPOSED DEMANDS}
In physical rehabilitation and sports training, the SAID principle asserts that the human body adapts specifically to imposed demands. It demonstrates that, given stressors on the human system, whether biomechanical or neurological, there will be a Specific Adaptation to Imposed Demands (SAID).

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SPECIFIC AND GENERAL ADAPTIONS IN SHARKS LIFE

STAGES
Stress (stimulus)
Exercise / Physical Activity
Adaptation (response)
Specific responsive biological adjustment to stress
Muscle, bone, heart, lung, vasculature, tendons, ligaments, joint cartilage, etc.
If stress is too great, or sufficient recovery time not allowed
adaptation may be inhibited
decrement in capacity of physiological systems
See overtraining

Accommodation
Adaptation response will begin to slow if the exact same stimulus is continued for a prolonged period of time.
Exhaustion
Adaptation is complete after limited time span
Continued stimulus no longer elicits adaptation

TRAINING SPECIFICITY
Training effects are specific to the muscle groups used during training and the type of training program implemented .
Training specifically for the movement pattern, speed, joint position, speed, and type of contraction produces improvement, specifically in those movement parameters.
Specific sport or activity yields greatest improvements
Supplement activity or sports training with resistance, cardiovascular, plyometrics, flexibility exercises
Utilize progression and periodization techniques

Adaptation is specific to :Mode
Type of training
Components of fitness
Metabolic Pathway
Also see Cross Training
Mechanics
Motor Pattern
Mechanical forces on joints, and bones utilized
Muscles involved
Tension curve
Range of motion

Intensity
Effort
Resistance
Speed of contraction
Metabolic pathways utilized
Duration
Time exercising
Recovery between bouts or work intervals
Number of reps
Number of exercises and sets
Frequency
Recovery

Identical-elements Theory
Transfer of learning between various skills and exercise routines can occur if the main elements underlying different skills or situations surrounding performance are identical and similar in nature.
Eg: Gymnastic training aimed at practicing complex exercise maneuvers complement (positively transfer) to the springboard diving.