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| August 2007 |
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Exercise is a great way to improve cardiovascular health, increase strength, lose weight and build confidence. Yet, if exercises are not performed correctly, you're chances of injury are greatly increased. And of course, you can't exercise when you're hurt. That's why proper exercise technique is just as important (or even more so) as other acute variables such as reps, sets, intensity and exercise selection. Poor exercise technique can lead to muscle imbalance, poor motor learning, and eventually overuse injuries. But what exactly are exercise technique flaws? Simply put, exercise technique flaws are alterations in the alignment and function of the body during exercise. Unfortunately, even the most experienced fitness enthusiast may not know how to properly perform an exercise. And many times "gym science" is to blame. Understanding basic functional anatomy and biomechanics is the easiest way to determine what muscles are targeted by a particular exercise, and if the movement is safe. But for the average fitness enthusiasts, taking college courses in anatomy, kinesiology or biomechanics is not an option and so "gym science" becomes his or her main source of learning. So when you're in doubt use the 5 kinetic chain checkpoints to help determine if your posture is correct. . . >> read complete article Posted by Jeff Biehl, Fitness and Spinning Director, Memorial Athletic Club |
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