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Ligament strength is essential to maintaining joint stability, and prevention of injury. Collagen, a structural protein constituting 65%-80% of the dry weight of ligaments and tendons, provides the majority of functional integrity and framework, as seen on the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) (Marumo, Saito, Yamagishi, & Fujii, 2005). Thus, finding a suitable tissue replacement for…
-Michael McIsaac
Tissues of the human body can be classified under 4 major sub-types: epithelial, nervous, muscle, and connective (Delforge, 2002). Connective tissue bind cells, other forms of tissues, and organs in a way, which provides mechanical support, strength, integrity, and form to structures found within the body (Delforge, 2002). Finally, connective tissue is composed of 3…
There are many ways in which people acquire skills. Some prefer to have auditory descriptions, others enjoy performing (i.e., kinesthetics) the skill, and yet others prefer seeing (i.e., visual) the skill executed. These methods are not mutually exclusive, and can occur in many combinations with varying levels of contribution. For the purposes of this discussion,…
Repetition in and of itself may hold little value in skill retention or performance enhancement. I would like to explore factors that do enhance the learning experience, their relationships to repetition, and the application of both. Lee, Swanson, and Hall (1991) reminded us that repetition by itself is not what allows a person to acquire…
Complex movement patterns are often taught by an observational means through demonstration. I would like to discuss when, where, and how observational instruction is efficacious, and how it might be fused with other teaching strategies to yield optimal outcomes. Williams and Hodges (2005) told us that demonstration is best suited for outcome goals with movement…
In recent posts, I provided information on how to use constraints in order to facilitate the learning process for the deadlift pattern (accompanying videos are at the end of this post for your review). However Magill (2011) stated that too much use of sensory feedback causes a dependency. I would like to explore this problem…
Clark (1995) posited that skillfulness is the impetus to a nation of physically active people. I would suggest that skillfulness alone is shortsighted. I would like to explore this concept more deeply. A skill is an activity or task that has a specific goal (Magill, 2011). Magill also made it clear that skills and movements…
It is intriguing that skill acquisition emanates from constraints imposed upon us (i.e., environment) from within us (i.e., the organism) as well as the task itself (Clark, 1995). These concepts find their home within the dynamic pattern theory, accompanied by self-organization, patterns and stability. I’d like to explore the utility of these perspectives in reducing…
When I have clients gently lay supine with a soft ball (i.e., squash ball) on the levator scapulae, it often replicates the referral pattern up along the same side of the neck/ear. I do not think that self-myofascial release (SMR) fixes the underlying problem. However, I do think it helps create temporary relief, without the…