I believe the reason behind it is because I quickly realized that the execution of my movements in (and out) of the gym was the most important driver in the way I look, move, perform and feel.

In today's newsletter, we are going to discuss why is that and the reason you should also pay close attention to the quality of your movement patterns.

First, let's debunk what "quality of movement pattern" means:

Quality: the standard of something as measured against other things of a similar kind; the degree of excellence of something. 

Movement: the act of moving.

Pattern: a particular way in which something is done, is organized, or happens. 

Simply put, quality of movement patterns (QMP) refers to the efficiency, effectiveness, and correctness of a specific motion or series of movements performed by an individual.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? 

Putting the priority and attention on the quality of your movements is crucial for lots of different reasons.

• Injury Prevention: Proper movement patterns reduce the risk of injury by ensuring that stress is evenly distributed across the body and that joints and muscles are used in the way they are designed. By being intentional with your body and loading placements, you make sure that everything is well aligned. With our programs, we make sure that this occurs by slowing down the movements and honoring the tempo at which you perform every rep of a given exercice.
  
  If you read for example:
   

The 31X1 digit means we are performing the movement at a 3" eccentric, 1" pause at end range, "X" explose back up, 1" pause at the top. 

PS: we talk more deeply about tempo in our free guide "3 PILLARS TO ELEVATE YOUR HEALTH & FITNESS" here.
 

• Functional Movement: One area that people often miss is that Functional Resistance Training (FRT) apply movement patterns in the gym with movement and exercices that we do in our daily life. Putting our body through different positions with different loading styles makes sure that when you need to execute that movement in a unknown environment (aka the world around us), your brain and body have the neuro-connections in order to safely and easily execute the movement. QMP are therefore essentials for performing daily activities with ease and without pain. They allow us to move in various situations, whether it's lifting objects, climbing stairs, or simply rushing through our nearby grocery story to purchase toilet papers when things get tough. 

• Performance Optimization: It's funny how people can some time let their ego take over and perform those  "bro reps". 
   

It's like if the most important thing was to do the crapiest rep with a load that the individual have obvious reasons to reduce. 

Keep in mind that high-quality movement patterns maximize efficiency and effectiveness in athletic performances, allowing us to achieve our full potential in terms of strength, speed, agility, and endurance. Curling those 32kg dumbbells isn't a performance.

• Rehabilitation and Recovery: if by any unfortunate situation, that 32kg dumbbell teared your biceps up and you are injured, focusing on proper movements during rehabilitation helps restore functionality and mobility, facilitating a faster and more complete recovery. Remember, focusing on deliberate and intentional movement helps you brain to connect, understand and execute those movements in a much more efficient manner.

• Skill Development: let's say you are looking for improving your handstand skills. Are you continuously going to throw yourself head down and hope that the laws of physics immediately go in your favor to stay well aligned or are you going to learn and refine high-quality movement patterns before? Assuming you choose the refine options, you will probably first try to have stable shoulders. You will also make sure that you can properly invert yourself in safe manner and to fall in case you missed the gravity laws.
  QMP is essential for mastering specific skills in sports, dance, martial arts, and other physical activities. It'll allows you to progress and excel in any goal pursuit.
   

• Long-Term Health: you can now understand that overtime, consistently using correct movement patterns will help you build and maintain robust body, improving joint health, flexibility, and muscle balance. All of this will, down the line reduce the risks of chronic conditions and injuries.
   

Next time you go in a gym, try to spot and notice the athletes that are intentional and deliberate with every repetition they are executing - not the bigger guy that with huge biceps or the guy that go hard but move terribly bad. 

Remember that there is beauty with the perfection at which your body move through space. 

We hope that by listing all of those reasons, you now understand that overall, prioritizing the quality of your movement patterns promotes better physical function, reduces the risk of injury, and enhances your well-being. 

Passionately, 

Your coaches, at KINAVIA

Written by Benjamin Desmet

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