Recognizing that the body is a kinetic chain we need to always be aware of how we are making connections between all the links in the chain. It too easy to fall into a reductionist approach that would have us focus on the links. A functional approach focuses on the linkages. We get more efficient by how we connect the links; therefore a major objective of training is connecting. Are we in fact connecting or are we disconnecting? We need to understand the end result we desire, how are the links in the chain connected and timed up? Remember that the core is the relay center; it is the center of the action, but not the originator of the action. We should not try to isolate the muscles of the core anymore that we should any other muscles of the body. We must always take into consideration that we are bipedal land animals so to insure that all connections are made we must build from the ground up based on the gait cycle.
It may seem basic but we need to know what we are connecting. Why are we connecting them? How are we connecting them? Then we need to understand how the exercises we use in training are connecting to the skill required in the movement or the sport. Is the movement similar or same? Does the athlete make the connection? When all connections are made then the result is coordinated, flowing, efficient, rhythmic movement that allows the athlete to execute flawlessly.
Vern Gambetta
@coachgambetta
Latest posts by Vern Gambetta (see all)
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