Fitness on Top of Dysfunction - Revealing the Fallacies of Exercise Performance
’)
By Brian L. Schwager
Fitness is a healthy endeavor.
There is no denying that to engage in physical fitness is a healthy endeavor. Whether you're new to exercise, hitting a plateau at your fitness level or diligently involved in sports, the mental and physical challenges of activity are what strengthen the mind, body and spirit of your being.
What we don't know will hurt us.
Yet, no matter how committed we are to refining our bodies, heed these words; proceed with caution! There is a chance "your exercise is doing you more harm than good." However, if exercise is so good for you, how can exercise be harmful? Many people have movement restrictions, which cause faulty movement patterns that interfere with proper musculoskeletal function. If you are applying the wrong exercise, you will develop injuries over time. I hear this from people I talk to all the time both in my clinical and private practice: "I don't know what happened, I read about this exercise routine in a magazine and it looked really good but now something is hurt." The number of people whose exercise is doing them more harm than good is growing. In other words, many people are putting fitness on top of dysfunction. They are unknowingly risking physical injury to areas of the body that are already weakened by muscle and strength imbalances or pre-existing conditions such as sports trauma, arthritis, fibromyalgia, and osteoporosis - to name a few.
Today, there is an estimated 40 million Americans currently dealing with chronic movement restrictions, creating a greater initiative by health and fitness professionals to better understand the importance of musculoskeletal health. Thus creating generations of people who are now experiencing chronic movement restrictions.
What happened?
Over the past 60 years, our society has become more sedentary. Mechanical innovations and technology have made our lives easier. Simply put, we sit more and move less. As a result, people have grown weaker in their core stabilizer muscle, which increases the tendency towards poor posture and movement restrictions.
These weaknesses and faulty movement patterns then carry over into daily life, impacting natural movements such as bending, squatting, twisting, pulling and pushing. This dis- use (neglect) of the body's natural stabilization system is the leading cause of musculoskeletal dysfunctions. The reality is that for years we have been exercising all wrong!
Back in the 60s and 70s, bodybuilding and body sculpting programs became the gold standard of exercise. The focus was to build and sculpt the muscles individually. The main focus was on the appearance of the body not on fundamental movement and function of the body's natural stabilization. Even though the body may look fit, bodybuilding and improper resistance training over time does the body more harm than good.
The exercise machine era
The widely used exercise approach that does more harm than good is the isolation workout. This method refers to most of the machines found in fitness centers and gyms nationwide and the programs typically involve using the leg extension, leg curl, leg press, bicep and tricep machines, to name a few.
At the time these machines were developed, it was believed that they would be safer and more appealing to use than traditional free weights. Equally appealing was the promise of increasing fitness club memberships. This theory of exercising has led to the increase in the musculoskeletal challenges, which plague today's American society.
What the experts say
Vern Gambetta M.A., renowned in the field of athletic training and conditioning states,
"In order to truly understand function we must shift our focus from muscles to movements."
Paul Chek HHP, NMT, Founder of the C.H.E.K Institute, noted author, international lecture and authority in the area of functional training states, "The current trends in the fitness industry are moving away from the machine based, bodybuilding programs and more towards functional training."
Additionally in an article entitled "A no-nonsense look at the often nonsensical world of fitness clubs" (Best Life Magazine Dec.2007/Jan.2008), the author points out: "...traditional machine-centric regimen promotes training muscles in isolation, as opposed to how muscles really work, in a chain of movement." The article further states, "...a machine that isolates such as the leg extension machine actually causes the knee cap to rotate on the thigh bone. The movement of the knee is forced by the mechanics of the machine not the body. This motion does not simulate what really happens in our functional activities such as walking, running or going down steps and can actually do more harm then good." As a population that is already sedentary and sitting most of time, the continued use of these isolated exercise machines can actually shut off the body's natural stabilization system. Over time, this creates what is known as 'sensory motor amnesia.' In other words, your stabilizers forget what they are supposed to do. Whether in sports or everyday activities when you need to use your stabilizer muscles to run, lift, twist, push, pull or squat they will not function properly causing discomfort, pain or debilitating injury. The good news from all this is improved exercise concepts, training programs and better equipment are emerging nationwide and are slowly making their way to here to Asheville.
A paradigm shift in health and fitness!
A new way of thinking has been emerging in the health and fitness field, Corrective Exercise and Functional & Core Training, Brian Schwager of HPTS has created a unique "holistic" approach to personal training that is new to this geographical area (Asheville, NC). From an exercise perspective, he focuses on movement as well as individual muscles, starting with a comprehensive intake evaluation addressing various health and lifestyle factors that contribute to the overall health & wellness of the individual. He then does a postural assessment to determine any major postural imbalances, and then he does a "Functional Movement Screen" testing for any faulty movement patterns that would increase a person's risk to injury. Brian then blends new exercise concepts and strategies such as Corrective Exercises and advanced Functional and Core Training principles that will systematically correct the postural and faulty movement patterns. As he puts it, "would you build a house on a weak foundation?"
Top industry experts agree that the key to preventing injuries is through proper assessment protocols that first seek out the person's weakest link, which could later result in an injury. HPTS is helping people of all activity levels determine if they are indeed putting fitness on top of dysfunction. "The first thing I would recommend to anyone starting an exercise program or joining a fitness class besides getting clearance from a medical professional is to get a static postural assessment and movement screen to see where your weakest link is from a qualified health and fitness professional prior to getting started. Don't put fitness on top of dysfunction."
A static postural assessment will detect any gross imbalances to the musculoskeletal system. A movement screen will detect any faulty movement patterns which if gone undetected lead to injury. Once this is completed, developing corrective exercise strategies to balance the posture and create symmetrical movement is of imperative to avoiding injury while increasing functional fitness.
The concept of assessing posture and movement before engaging with an exercise program is a paradigm shift within the health and fitness industry as a whole and is already being embraced by professional sports such as the, NFL, NHL, NBA, Olympic competitors and others. High schools, colleges, weekend warriors and fitness enthusiasts are starting to utilize the new paradigm.
Without this shift or change in the fitness mindset, especially as more and more people take responsibility for there own health by exercising, the number of musculoskeletal injuries will continue to rise.
A postural assessment and movement screen by a qualified professional are a sure way to prevent putting fitness on top of dysfunction and from having your exercise cause you more than good.
With unwavering passion, Brian has been delivering his innovative message on the future of fitness throughout the east coast as a public speaker, published author and holistic trainer. With more than 20 years expertise he is held with high esteem in the health and fitness field as a martial artist, a Director of Corrective Exercise, a
Based in Asheville, North Carolina, Brian is the founder of Holistic Personal Training Services and The Functional Movement Center
To learn more about Brian's functional movement training services, publications, seminars, and products - contact The Functional Movement Center.
Toll free: 1.877.238.7810 / North Carolina: 828.667.9334
Web Site: www.hpts.info
What's New - New Articles, Content and Blogs About Fitness and Martial Arts
- YW Wellness Open House August 30th by YWCA Asheville
- New Ownership for Asheville Racquet and Fitness Club by Asheville Now
- Fitness on Top of Dysfunction - Revealing the Fallacies of Exercise... by Asheville Now
- YWCA Offers Special Pass for Bike/Walk Commuters by YWCA Asheville
- The Cove to Serve as a Drop-off Location for Operation Christmas Child by Jill Wagner
- Dan Black: Navigating the New Normal by Brenda Cooke
- New Social-Recreation Groups For Youth with Autism! by Sylvia van Meerten
- Providing Mini-Vacations - Get-A-Ways in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee! by jc carlos
- Check Out this Inspiring Event and Get a Chance to Attend for Free by Asheville Now
- Common Ground by Donna Bogren
- Monetize Your Vision by Mandy Wildman
- Attractive kitchen and bath remodeling with JONESCO by jones kent
- Microsoft Computer Training by Katrina Bragg
- Welcomemat Services Announces Growth Plans for Asheville by Megan Wallace
- Blue Pitbull Pups by nicole mcmullen
- The Dropa Stone tour coming to North Carolina on eve of album release by Jeff B.
- Should a student take the ACT or the SAT? by Brian Caskey
- Have you heard about Blind Pig of Asheville??? by Justin Belleme
- North Carolina Drug Card by Bert Melancon
- Markets Don't Matter, Karma Does by Michele Williams
- Incumbent Reisinger Seeks Election to Buncombe County Register of D... by Justin Belleme
- Asheville named a finalist to host USA Cycling Cyclo-cross National... by Asheville Now
- New Year's Eve with Acoustic Syndicate by Molly Kummerle
- Toubab Krewe Returns to the Orange Peel for New Years Eve by Molly Kummerle
Comments
About the Author - Asheville Now
Contact Asheville Now:
AshevilleNow, LLC
www.ashevillenow.com
