The majority of the strength gains come from increased neuromuscular efficiency, the ability to recruit a maximal number of motor units. In power sports most athletes show a “synchronous” firing of their motor units where as endurance athletes show a “asynchronous” firing pattern that enables some to rest while others are recruited. This does inhibit maximum force development. I see weight training as improving that “jump” which can be important in cycling, less so in triathlon, but you still sometimes have to increase your power to get around another athlete.
I am not saying dont weight train, Its beneficial to everyday life. I remember taking a canyon hike at the end of a race season. In order to cut my body weight to a minimum I had pretty much stopped weight training. At one section you had to climb up a boulder holding on to a rope, I nearly didnt make it up while a couple of girls we were hiking with (climbers) made it look easy. I started back in the gym the next week! I just dont think people should approach it with the attitude of solely to improve their sports performance. They need to do a variety of exercises, not just ones that are “sports specific”.
Kevin Riseborough
PT, CSCS