Movement is Math
“Movement
is math. The body follows a sequential
series of steps in every movement. If
any part of this movement is wrong, the whole movement is wrong, just like a
math equation."
-Dr. Kevin McGovern, PT
The human body will always do what you tell it to do. But, the problem is that the human body will
always do what you tell it to do!
Simply put , the body is an amazing tool with tremendous
fortitude to get the job done at any cost.
We all remember our Algebra teacher who graded us on the
equation not just getting the correct answer.
Even if by the Grace of God you got the right answer, if the work done
in the equation was not correct then the answer was wrong. This is the exact same rule for human
movement. If any part of the movement is
wrong, despite how good the finish may look, it’s wrong.
The body will always get the FINAL answer correct but the
equation or sequence of movements is most often wrong or I would not have a
job. Basically the body will move
through dysfunction at any cost to get the final answer or the job done. That is what makes the body the best and
worst machine ever made.
I call this “functionally dysfunctional”. The body knows the correct way to move but
falls into very bad habits of poor movement, which directly lead to injury and
poor performance.
These poor movements, to a greater or lesser extent, are the
cause of ALL injury including trauma.
What? Trauma? Yes, Trauma.
I assert that if you knew how to move correctly, you would not be in a
position to get injured or you would know how to move better and avoid the
injury in the first place.
Improve the math, improve the movement and improve your
health. It’s a law.
What law? The laws of
Kinesiology. The science of human
movement. These laws have been published
and know to mankind for years, yet, we as a society, continue to violate them
everywhere human movement exists to produce a result.
Sports, industry, healthcare, and fitness training violates
the principles of Kinesiology every day.
That includes my colleagues. That
includes the AAU baseball coach, the gymnastics coach, the martial arts
instructor, etc. etc.
It can’t be?
Look at the results.
Keep this in mind: “A
person should train to stay healthy and improve physical or sport performance. If one or both of these results are not
happening, the training is wrong and most definitely violates kinesiology”
Go online and look at what is being sold to you. Really
think about the quote above. Is what they
are selling you working?
I saw an alleged guru on the Internet. I won’t say what sport but his products are
flooded in one certain sport. His
website has a “who’s who” of that sport.
The issue is that most of his athletes are out of that sport because of
the injuries that this guru professes to fix!
I have seen the products and the videos. Guess what they violate?
Yup.
Kinesiology or what I call the Kinesiolgical Sequence.
All of the movements that I witnessed were distal to
proximal.
That is like trying to drive your car forward in
reverse.
Movement is math! You
can’t violate this law in any movement that you do.
TRAIN TO STAY HEALTHY and IMPROVE PERFORMANCE. This is now a law! It’s my book.
So I can do that because that phrase helps you. The above, is what you
should demand from any therapist, personal trainer, “guru”, or your own doctor.
If you were an athlete, try and remember how many times the
proximal to distal law was violated in your experience. Did the coaching or training make you
healthier or improves your performance?
I am certain that it did not.
Why do I say all this?
LOOK at the results.
Here are a few to think about:
In 2018 there were 2 NBA basketball players who jumped up
and came down never the same. One with a
shattered ankle, the other with a blown out ACL. I am wondering why that doesn’t happen to a
figure skater? They land on a 1/8 in
blade on ice after doing crazy spinning movements. Can you name a knee or ankle injury to a
famous skater? THAT’s a RESULT of
training!
I will get off my soapbox with this one.
There are far too many baseball pitchers every year who
injury their elbow and need Tommy John Surgery.
My tennis memories go back to Borg and McEnroe. I can’t remember one tennis player injuring
their elbow and needing Tommy John Surgery….hmmmm….Kinesiolgical Sequence! Results!
