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Thursday 27 January 2011

Speedendurance.com

Exercise, Recovery, Regeneration and Movement (Part 1)

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 03:00 AM PST

I am going to attempt to discuss the "why's" on Recovery, Regeneration and Movement . This is a continuation of a previous series of "what" and "how to" articles related to Trigger Point Therapy and Self-Myofascial Release.

If there are 3 components that are a common theme for this Blog, it's Training, Nutrition and Recovery. But there is another category that is equally important and that is the study of movement and injury prevention. The two go hand in hand.

What really pisses me off is when a coach sends the kids off for a 10 minute warm-up, followed by static stretching, and then a series of drills. Instead of the coach observing the athletes, the coach could be talking to someone in person (usually an injured athlete on the sidelines), or on the cell phone and texting away. Any "coach" can carry a whistle and a clipboard and issue the workouts (**cough cough quote from Doug Logan cough cough **)

For me, the drills are MY pre-screening tool for soft tissue problems based on range of motion and mechanical issues. Coaching is an art… you really have to study the athletes' movements, and check if there is a limitation to a certain range of motion (ROM).

As well, one formula for DISASTER is:

Bad movement and mechanics + Repetition = INJURY

The other thing to remember is the localized point of injury is just the effect. The cause is often elsewhere. More often that not, the cause is from the lower back or hips. Personal trainers are quick to cite the weak core excuse and start an extensive core stability program or Cross-Fit membership (heaven forbid)!

It takes a trained eye (or basically years of practice) to prevent and diagnose injuries based on movement. At the elite level, the "Triad" that forms your staff should be the Coach, the Agent, and the Therapist. The Agent books the races, and the Coach accommodates the training schedule around it.

For others, the real "Triad" is the Physio (and/or Therapist), the Coach, and the Athlete, as it is important to work together and access the feedback on any particular day.