Movement by Gray Cook

Author:Gray Cook
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781931046725
Publisher: On Target Publications
Published: 2010-01-08T05:00:00+00:00

REACTIVE NEUROMUSCULAR TRAINING FOR THE DEEP SQUAT

You can also apply reactive neuromuscular training (RNT) to the deep squat pattern with great success. This is another way to get the neurological system to do what you need it to do. This practice, developed more fully on page 294, magnifies or exaggerates the subtle imperfections in the squat to cause a proprioceptive balance reaction—the don’t fall reflex. You can use elastic tubing to magnify or exaggerate an unintentional misalignment or poor balance strategy, and the automatic reflex-based mobility and stability reactions should correct the observed problem if applied correctly.

Since these problems are not at a conscious or intentional level, it is nearly useless to coach correct technique with verbal cues. You may see better form for the moment, but you will not be pleased with the lasting effect of your well-intentioned efforts. We don’t learn to move by verbal cues; the language of movement is not recorded in mental words or pictures. The language of movement is feel. You must cause a change, not coach a change.

The tubing is a way to push the mistake a little further; it’s not elastic resistance to load movement. You’re not looking for a training effect for a certain muscle group, or trying to cause increased strength adaptation. You’re trying to create the subconscious impulse to improve motor control and efficiency. Exaggerating the mistake is an attempt to change the sequence of stabilizer and prime mover activity in the movement pattern.

A common example of how we do this in the squat is one or both knees caving inward, usually accompanied by an outward turn of the feet twisting over the ground. Instead of coaching the client against that, we use our hands to press inward on the knees with just enough pressure to establish stability. We establish the pressure while the client is standing tall, and then cue to maintain the pressure all the way through the squat, going as deep as possible.

Instinctively, the client perceives the need to press outward much harder when descending. In reality, we’re observing the lazy stabilizer showing itself. By enhancing the collapse, we actually correct it. Once we establish that the technique works with that person, we wrap tubing around the knees and slowly provide less and less resistance until the stabilization sequence has improved.

The same thing can be done when the shoulder blades round and the arms extend forward in the squat. While standing in front, place the tubing around the client’s shoulder blades and pull forward with just enough force to activate better upper core stability. Once again, we establish standing stability before allowing the client to attempt the squat.

It is advisable to practice these techniques with someone who has had expert training. You can also review these techniques on our instructional videos* and can practice with a partner. Don’t attempt a new technique with someone who actually needs it. Become proficient, then implement the technique in your work.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.