Originally posted by Prince
Weight Acclimation Sets
Just what is a weight acclimation set? Weight acclimation sets are a form of warm-up sets that are done to allow your muscles, tendons, joints, and ligaments to become accustom to the increasing weight overload.
A warm-up set pumps blood into the muscle and surrounding and supporting soft tissue. This enhances flexibility and elasticity of the muscle. A weight acclimation set is performed to progressively introduce the increasing overload to the muscle, joints, and supporting soft tissue in preparation for the high-intensity, heavy sets.
Weight acclimation sets are very important in preventing injury. These sets condition the muscle and soft tissue for the upcoming heavy sets. Neither warm-up sets nor weight acclimation sets build muscle, but they are integral to building muscle by preparing the muscle and supporting soft tissue for the heavy weight.
Because warm-up sets and weight acclimation sets don't build muscle, they must be done in a manner that does not impede, but enhances the muscle building sets. This is the essence of weight acclimation.
Weight acclimation sets allow your muscles to "prepare" for upcoming heavy sets without fatiguing the muscle being worked. Proper warm-up techniques utilizing weight acclimation sets will enhance your muscle's ability to maximize nerve-muscle contraction and lift heavier weights for maximum overload generation.
I realize 'weight-acclimation' sets are nothing new... but is there any science behind them?
It sounds like its more psychological than physiological. Do tendons actually 'prepare themselves' in the 10 minutes it takes you to do those weight-acclimation sets?