Functional Training Part 1 August 8, 2007

For the next six weeks be covering functional training and 6 different movement patterns.

So what is functional training???

Functional strength training involves performing work against resistance in such a manner that the improvements in strength directly enhance the performance of movements so that an individual’s activities of daily living are easier to perform. Simply stated, the primary goal of functional training is to transfer the improvements in strength achieved in one movement to enhancing the performance of another movement by affecting the entire neuromuscular system.

Confused!!!

I plan to keep this simple for the blog. Any questions you may have please post a comment on the blog.

As I’ve been running (85% of running is on 1 leg!!!) and cycling the first Movement pattern I’m going to talk about is The 1 leg standing

After a 1 leg standing Assessment I put together a programme that not only strengthens the leg but also stretches any tight muscle groups that limit the range of movement around the joints In the 1 leg movement pattern.

Before we can do a leg movement exercise we have to stretch out all the tight muscles i.e. adductors.

Then we move on to the exercise. For today I will just explain the lunge.

The Lunge

Start with your feet shoulder width apart and feet facing forward.

Lunge forward with first leg. Land on heal then forefoot. Lower body by flexing knee and hip of front leg until knee of rear leg is almost in contact with floor. Return to original standing position by forcibly extending the hip and knee of the forward leg. Repeat by alternating lunge with opposite leg.

Have Fun with the Lunge…

Paul