EXERCISE
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…
In the last year approximately, I have been experimenting with having clients perform some exercises (i.e., standing) without shoes. I have read about the benefits, but never truly was “sold” on why. I believe I did not appreciate the concept of proprioception, and its relationship to the sensorimotor system. The sensorimotor system contains two fundamental…
Dynamic systems theory (DST) helps medical and exercise professionals understand and explain the nature and causes of movement skill acquisition (Magill, 2011). The sensorimotor system could be viewed as the conduit through which individuals gather, process, and disseminate information, and movement, within the environment. In essence, there exists a symbiotic relationship between DST and the sensorimotor…
A technique that has served me well is the application of a concept known as reactive neuromuscular training (RNT). Essentially, it is defined as the integration and processing of peripheral sensory information in the central nervous system (CNS) to elicit the most efficient motor response (Harrison & Hart, 2010). RNT can be further defined as…
It could be argued that one first ask the purpose of an exercise. If we wish to teach individuals exercise, which enhances their ability to perform activities of daily living, for example, it would seem reasonable to implement those exercises, which acknowledges the aforementioned outcome goal. Pushing objects, dynamically or statically, could be seen as…
In Janda’s upper crossed syndrome (UCS), we will notice relationship; there is a crossedrelationship between the upper anterior and posterior regions of the body. The pectoralis major and minor are facilitated on the anterior side, as well as the upper trapezius and levator scapulae on the posterior side. Conversely, the deep cervical flexors of the…