Do you know the 4 P's of Functional Movement?

Functional movement training is about movements based on the real-world and not just in the Gym.

Biomechanics in the real world are not the same as an artificial training environment.

Functional Movement Training is about exercising in 3D, so it is multi-planar, it is likely to involve compound or multi-joint movements, not isolated movement.

Functional Movement Training is about rediscovering MOVEMENT before we start exercising.

We must first master some basic movement patterns before we add, speed, intensity or resistance.

Functional Movement can be described in terms of the 4 P's:

1. Position

2. Posture

3. Pattern

4. Purpose

The Position refers to lying, sitting, kneeling, standing, handstand.

The Posture refers to where the joints of the human body are and how gravity is effecting them in this position.

The Pattern refers to which functional movement is being performed, squatting, lunging, hinging etc.

The Purpose makes reference to the fact that the brain does not think in terms of isolated muscle, but instead respond to the purpose of the movement.

Functional Movement is different from normal exercise.

Functional movement is task-dependent and individual-dependent.

This is based on a Needs Analysis of both the task and the individual.

Functional Training is the way forward and we need to move away from isolated muscle training and think in terms of movement.

So if you need to move because your life depends on it, you can for example run away from danger as running is a functional movement.

Remember, nobody ever died from a weak bicep!

References

http://www.ptonthenet.com/articles/the-functional-continuum-3251