Movement assessment before beginning training

Does how you move really matter? Is how you execute a deep squat important, or how you run, jump, or perform your exercises if you’re working on your strength? Is the amount of time in your training that you assign to ensure the movement that you are performing is properly executed a relevant issue?

The answer to all of these questions is: YES. We were born to move; our system has been created, in principle, for survival, that is to say, to find food, to seek shelter, and to protect ourselves from danger. In order to accomplish these goals, we need each and every one of our joints, muscles, and our nervous and endocrine systems, among other essential parts of our body.

On the other hand, the greatest enemy of movement is, precisely, the magnificent evolution that we have undergone, and our ability to find a solution to all of the above needs from the comfort of our chairs.

Nowadays, we no longer move, and the high rates of sedentariness worldwide clearly show this. This generates problems to our posture, muscular imbalances, aches and pains, and increased injury risks when attempting to execute a movement intensely.

In parallel, the possibilities for training and exercising, or of practicing sports, have increased exponentially. There are multiple gyms and sports/health centers, in addition to parks, where one can practice Yoga, Functional Training, Power Dance, and other activities. This variety of options, to a certain extent, presents us with the possibility of doing what we were designed for: move.

The problem is that, after sitting down in the same position for 12 hours, our body can no longer move as it is supposed to. Having said this, I must clarify that there is no exercise that is bad for us; rather, a poorly executed exercise is what could potentially harm us.

For this reason, before beginning any type of training, conducting a movement assessment is advisable. Touching your toes with the tip of your fingers, squatting, performing push-ups, or a “Superman” pose, and other exercises, allow us to determine whether a certain person is afflicted by any imbalances which could ultimately provoke an injury.

The basic patterns of movement are the foundation of the pyramid, enabling us to later train the strength, power, coordination, agility and endurance which we seek. Every athlete who has worked in correcting his/her altered patterns of movement has improved.

We encourage you to carry out a movement assessment at your sports/health center, gym, or at home. Be aware of how you execute certain patterns and this will allow you to make progress and achieve your best performance, decreasing the possibility of suffering any typical and annoying injuries.