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"We were made to move."

 

Dr Alex Uding, DPT

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Movement is an expression of how we interact with and perform in the world. Movement is the result of a person’s stability, mobility, strength, coordination, and utilization of body systems to create performance in response to your environment and demands. Training should consider the whole performance spectrum relative to you, while promoting health and longevity.

 

You may have some preconceived notions about what your body can and can’t do but, the truth is, we can all adapt and progress with tailored guidance. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you work towards optimizing your mental and physical performance.

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Training programs aren’t universal. 

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No two bodies, professions, or people are the same. Movement is not uniform because everyone has individual characteristics and structures that need to be considered. Learn what positions, preparation, exercises, types of training, and recovery will set you up for success.

 

The body is capable of change at any time. 

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Smart, efficient, hard work will produce results, no matter where you are starting! Successful performance is built by commitment, self-understanding, support, and adapting. 

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The body is good at getting into habits. 

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Habitual positions, activities, job tasks, and types of training can result in repeated use of some body parts and decreased use of others. The body can start relying on these repetitive patterns to execute a movement, rather than performing it in a balanced and efficient way. This can result in suboptimal performance, pain sensitivity, or injury risk. However, this can be addressed through a program that considers your imbalances and daily demands.

 

Pain is common, but is not always normal. 

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Pain is complex- you don’t have to navigate it alone. Having an active job doesn’t mean you will develop pain. The key is understanding when to push and when the body is asking for a different course.

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Develop physical and movement literacy. 

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The more you understand what your body is saying, the better you can support your goals. Knowledge of how your body is built, performs, and responds to training can promote health and wellness through the lifespan. 

 

Setbacks can be worked through. 

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Sometimes we do everything “right” and we still get injured, sick, or have setbacks. There are things we can control and things we cannot, but together, we can shift from “Plan A” to “Plan B” to keep moving forward.

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You change. Goals change.  

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Change happens. Continue to be kind to yourself through the process. Are you doing what you are capable of? Are you training for where you are at and in a way that supports what you need? It is always possible to continue moving.