Sports Specific Exercise
The Greek physician Galen (AD 129 ? 210) is generally accepted to be the originator of formalized exercise, he even pointed the way forward by stating, "?movements which do not alter respiration are not called exercise". Whilst he was chief physician to the Gladiators, Galen devised training drills to replicate movements from the arena, as seen in the 1960 film Spartacus. Galen's gladiator drills are now referred to as 'sports specific' training or sometimes the misleading term 'functional' training, that is, exercises consisting of movements that are specific to a particular sport. With practice we may get better at performing these exercises but to date there is no proof that this makes any difference to sporting performance or normal everyday function of the muscles specifically targeted. 'State-dependent learning' is a phenomenon in which the retrieval of newly acquired information is possible only if the subject is in the same environment and physical state as during the learning phase. That is, a skill learnt in one situation does not necessarily translate to another, for example, results gained from exercises designed to strengthen the 'core' muscles may not change their performance under competitive or even everyday circumstances that differ from those of the specific exercise. Therefore, if training routines are to be beneficial they must replicate the playing conditions as closely as possible. In professional sport a large percentage of training is taken up by exercise in the belief it will develop strength, co-ordination and agility, but if these exercises are considered necessary for a given sport, why doesn't the athlete develop these skills by actually participating in their sport? If an athlete lacks the strength or agility considered essential for their game then either the perceived requirements are wrong (and this happens time and time again) and the exercises are a waste of time or the athlete is not performing their sport in a manner considered to be right. If the latter is the case then how can an athlete whose movement may be at fault be expected to be suddenly capable of performing the prescribed exercises correctly? If they do learn to perform the exercises 'correctly' can these new skills be transferred back to the sporting arena? Sports scientist Dr Michael Yessis writes: What Makes an Exercise Specific? For an exercise to be specific it must fulfill one or more of the following criteria: 1. The exercise must duplicate the exact movement witnessed in
a certain segment of the sports skill. 2. The exercise must involve the same type of muscular contraction as used in the skill execution. 3. The special exercise must have the same range of motion as in the skill action. So perhaps the best sport specific exercise program, by definition, is ... playing your sport? Roy Palmer is a Teacher of The Alexander Technique and author of The Performance Paradox: Train Smarter to enhance performance and reduce injury. More information can be found at http://www.artofperformance.co.uk
He works with sports people of all abilities to recognise and overcome performance-limiting habits.
Related News
Workouts to become compulsory for tots - NEWS.com.au
Missile-defense exercise held in Middle East - NavyTimes.com
Exercise your blessings, America - Salisbury Post
Exercise your blessings, AmericaSalisbury Post, NC -18 hours agoWhat if we lived in a country where we weren't allowed to go to church or read our Bible? What if we weren't allowed to go to church or attend school? ... |
Exercise, calcium can keep osteoporosis at bay - Palladium-Item
Exercise, calcium can keep osteoporosis at bayPalladium-Item, IN -14 hours agoExercise is important is maintaining good bone health, as well. Weight-bearing exercise such as walking, running, aerobics, and weight lifting stimulates ... |
Air Force exercise thunders over Townsville skies - ABC Online
When running with dogs, exercise with care - Houston Chronicle
Outdoor buffs must exercise caution on smoggy days - Los Angeles Times
Post-Exercise Caffeine Helps Muscles Refuel - WebWire (press release)
Post-Exercise Caffeine Helps Muscles RefuelWebWire (press release), GA -5 hours agoBETHESDA, Md. (July 2008) — Recipe to recover more quickly from exercise: Finish workout, eat pasta, and wash down with five or six cups of strong coffee. ... |
Special session could be exercise in futility - Chicago Daily Herald
Special session could be exercise in futilityChicago Daily Herald, IL -20 hours agoBy John Patterson and Nick Shields | Daily Herald Staff SPRINGFIELD - Next week's special session on the state budget is shaping up to be a 48-hour funeral ... |
Smaller gyms help exercise social skills - Los Angeles Times
Smaller gyms help exercise social skillsLos Angeles Times, CA -6 hours agoAs exercise-averse as I am, I'm always there three mornings a week, and it's at least partly to swap tidings and bon mots with the likes of: Jay, ... |
|
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Speed Training With Intensity - Bound To Get Faster
Bounding can be a great addition to your high intensity workouts - and it's essential to getting faster.
Rotator Cuff: Exercises and Strategies to Prevent Injury
Have you ever experienced a dull ache or sharp pain in your shoulder or upper arm? Maybe you are unable to sleep on one side because your shoulder wakes you up at night. Perhaps, you have discomfort reaching behind your back to tuck in your shirt or grab your wallet. If so, you may be suffering from a rotator cuff injury.
See How Trampolines Can Be Part Of Any Exercise Program
When the trampoline was invented by a young boy intrigued
by the ability of aerialists to bounce in a net and perform
artistic maneuvers while they did so, it literally became
the "springboard" for a whole new sport.
Online Fitness Coaching
If I were to tell you that you could burn away as much fat as possible by sitting at your computer twiddling your fingers and toes, would you believe me? Well I sure hope you don't!
Some Great Ideas on Staying Fit
Physical exercise is something that you need to do on a regular basis. If you're looking for examples of great fitness exercises to try out, you'll find them on our site.
How to Get Better Exercise Results By Improving Hydration
Water and Exercise
Top 3 Back Pain Risk Factors
Lower back pain is an increasingly common problem in fact four out of five Americans will experience lower back pain at least once in their lifetime.
When Exercising Right Looks Wrong II
Enter any health club and a concept is very apparent, the same exercise performed again and again. Crowded floor space taken up by machines designed to make exercise easier, and a thought process called 'gym science' which involves no science at all. My last article touched on some of the thought processes or lack of thought that goes into proper exercise. With the advent of the computer exercise science has changed drastically. Particularly needle EMG (electro myo-gram) testing, this is where a hair thin needle is inserted into a muscle and its electrical and contractile properties are measured. The results of these studies have drastically changed how we exercise. Exercises that we did in the past have been proven ineffective and better exercises have been proven more efficient and effective.
Warming Up Properly
In our 'Stretching' article series (http://optimumlife.co.nz/Fitness%20Articles/Stretching/Stretching1.htm), we discussed why it's important to stretch as part of your workout. We also touched on the importance of warming up before even *thinking* about stretching. Since that article, I've had a couple of questions about warming up, so it seemed like a good topic for this week's Optimum Fitness News.
2 Exercises to Avoid
If you want a good night, then avoid two of these old school moves.
Exercise and the Time Clock
I have to admit that I sometimes find it amusing when someone knows I am a trainer and proceeds to elaborate on the hours that they spend in the gym. One example was a few years back when I was introduced to a nice young women, who proceeded to tell me that she went to the gym twice a day, an hour each time. Unless this second hour was spent in the jacuzzi or making up for lost time due to chatting with fellow gym-goers during the earlier timeslot, I would be leary. Instead of being impressed by her exuberant enthusiasm for working out, my thoughts were that one of those hours might be better spent in a counseling office. Excessive exercising is unsafe and a sign of other deep-rooted problems. So, the question remains how many ticks on the clock should pass before you head for the locker room? And what compels a person to go way overboard in their exercise routine?
What is Pilates?
Pilates is a system of over 500 controlled exercises that engage the mind and condition the total body by using a popular exercise regimen that uses special stretches and machines. Named after Joseph Pilates, Pilates exercise system has proven itself invaluable not only to the fitness user, but to the professional trainers as well. Pilates, a technique of exercise and physical movement intended to stretch, strengthen, and balance the body.
Exercise and Heart Health: A Life Giving Marriage
Most people get their health out of a bottle these days, be it a bottle of vitamins or pharmaceuticals. However, with a little effort and dedication you really can get a hold on your life, turn it round and live it to the full!
Finding The Right Exercise Intensity
We've all heard the exercise guidelines that recommend we participate in 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity 3-5 times per week. That seems easy enough to implement. Or, does it? The duration and frequency guidelines are very straight-forward and easily defined. But, "moderate" intensity is often left to interpretation. So, how do we define "moderate"?
Incorporating Physical Activity into Your Daily Routine Not as Hard as You Think
You already know that getting at least 30 minutes of exercise each and every day is good for you, but putting that assertion into actual practice is an entirely different matter, right? Contrary to what you might think, making physical activity an everyday habit isn't rocket science. There's no secret code for success waiting to be cracked. In fact, it's something that can be worked into your usual routine with minimal, sometimes no, interruption or adjustment.
Take a Break
Writing is a strenuous creative activity, and like physical activity it produces fatigue that requires rejuvenation and renewal, so when the mind is blocked, it is time to rest it. Many writers call this 'writer's block' but others claim that no such state exists.
The Amazing Health Benefits of Walking for Exercise
Walking for exercise is a purposeful, brisk walk specifically designed for the purpose of improving health. It is one of the best and cheapest forms of exercise. If you want to improve your general health and keep fit, or if you want to reduce your weight, walking is a good place to start.
Dangerous Shoulder Exercises
Have you ever suffered from shoulder discomfort after working out? I am referring to aching or sharp pain experienced in the front of the shoulder or lateral upper arm that is felt with overhead activities, reaching behind the back or even laying on the shoulder. These symptoms are often indicative of rotator cuff inflammation. This is a common problem for many people who perform resistance training on a regular basis. It is also a problem that can easily be prevented by modifying the following "dangerous shoulder exercises."
Exercise Smarter Not Harder ? 10 Ways to Make Consistent Progress in Your Exercise Plan!
My name is Greg Ryan. I am a fitness expert, professional bodybuilder personal trainer to movie stars, and former employee of Kathy Smith. For twenty years I have been able to keep my body fat levels lower than most, and consistently exercise five days a week, and having fun in the mean time. Not because I am anything special, but because I have learned a few tricks along the way, that I would like to share with you. Start incorporating them into your plan today and notice the difference tomorrow.
6 Things A Norwegian Fable Teaches Us About Healthy Perseverance Part 1
Author, H. Besser, in his book, "Perseverance:
How To Develop It," shares a Norwegian fable
about a man who left his hometown to rejoin
his fiancée. They were to get married when
he arrived.
|
