As I have mentioned in a previous post, I think the world would be a healthier place if people received annual movement and nutritional screenings. Since initiating this campaign, I have received several questions regarding the ability to predict injury with a musculoskeletal (movement) screening. In physical therapy, there is limited research to predict that poor movement is the 'cause' of the problem. The human body is too complex to observe a compound movement and try to objectively state one abnormality is the problem. If I watch two people with low back pain perform a squat, they may have pain for completely different reasons. One may lack proper trunk stability and the other could have poor ankle motion.  

However, we cannot argue that certain movements appear inherently more natural or safer than others. For example, when Jordan Spieth swings a golf club, it is a pure movement. His risk of injury is low because his biomechanics in the movement are correct. From my clinical experiences, it is easier to predict injury with poor movement. In the 2012 NFL combine, Robert Griffin III demonstrated terrible jumping mechanics (see picture below). Within one year, he tore his ACL and has since had a second reconstruction.   

When it comes to human movement, it is not simple enough to state A=B. A number of variables- mobility, strength, stability, environmental factors, and more- all play a roll in how we move. However, I can confidently say that getting a musculoskeletal screening is a step in the right direction to predicting and preventing future injuries.

Are you tired of ordinary cardio exercises?  Fueled by endurance running plateaus and supported by evidence, a new type of training emerged: high intensity interval training (HIIT).  HIIT can be a complimentary exercise for those who dread cardio workouts, want to improve their success in endurance events, or only have time for a short workout.
 
The Science Behind The Phenomenon
High intensity interval training (HIIT) is defined as “brief to moderate duration intervals with high intensity (above anaerobic threshold) separated by brief periods of low intensity exercise or rest to allow for some but not full recovery.” For example, instead of jogging for 45 minutes at a steady pace, a standard HIIT session involves sprinting for 30 seconds, then lightly jogging for 1 minute, before repeating the sprint for a total of 15 minutes. The time frame is considerably shorter, but the aerobic workload is comparable. A 2008 study by Gibala et al proved 2.5 hours of sprint interval training produced similar biochemical muscle changes to 10.5 hours of endurance training and similar endurance performance benefits. 

The other day I was talking with a young female runner who stated she has had 'a bad knee' for a long time. As a Doctor of Physical Therapy, my initial question was "when is it going to be a good knee again?" Unfortunately, there was no foreseeable solution to this problem. At the age of 28, she had accepted the fact that she would have 'a bad knee' as long as she continued to run. After I wiped the tears away from my eyes due to this tragedy, I performed a functional movement screening on the young woman and gave her the appropriate corrective exercises to stop her discomfort. 

 How to book your Functional Movement Screening:
1) Visit HeafnerHealth.com
2) Click 'Book me' & choose Functional Movement Screening
3) Select a date and time that fits your schedule
4) At checkout use Promo Code: movefree 

Want to learn more about the functional movement screening? Visit Movement University

*The movement screening is a 40-minute one-on-one functional movement screening (FMS) will assess your risk of injury. Clients will be guided through 7 functional movements and will be graded on movement quality and symmetry. Screening includes corrective exercises. It is valued at $95.