Irrational is an ideal term to describe a method of exercise considered dangerous, impractical, unproved and irrelevant.
FUNCTIONAL CORE EXERCISE In an article by a well known “Functional/core exercise” proponent, there is an attempt to affiliate the concepts of microscopic life of the amoeba with human cellular processes, and “Functional training” when the author claims: “Movement, survival and the optimal functioning of the organism all go hand in hand.” This statement opens a door for the author as he links “Movement” with “Function,” together with the concept of “Optimal.” He then claims that there is a link between functional exercise and survival, as confirmed historically by the “Fact” that when exercise needs are not met, then “Disease lurks!”.
Certainly lack of activity or too much activity can pose negative results, but here he links “The wrong kind” of exercise to that of disease or ill health.
After addressing how natives achieved functional fitness through hunting practices, the author then discussed ancient methods of yoga, Tai-Chi, and then martial arts, connecting the concept of “Functional exercise” with improving health and vitality of the mind and body, to improve “Man’s relationship with both external and internal nature.” This concept has now opened a second door for the author’s “Brand” of functional training and to denounce methods that are different.
Apparently, according to the author, today’s concept of exercise is wrong, since many methods confirm to Newtonian thinking to produce an “Isolationists’/reductionists’ point of view,” in that we think of only single muscles and not the body as a whole.
Bodybuilders do consider the look of the body as a whole, and many exercises performed take into account body coordination.
Even the use of a single-joint exercise machine causes its user to contract many muscles in an attempt to brace the body and to generate greater body coordination as muscular fatigue is reached.
The author claims that the exercise machine industry also is at fault, as it breaks the body into separate parts or muscle groups to be worked in isolation, “Building on people’s aesthetic desires rather than functional needs.” It is well known that no muscle can work in complete isolation, as stated in the paragraph above.
The author then claims that those who succumb to modern isolationist exercise methods and influence suffer higher incidence of injury.
From my perspective, people tend to diverge toward Tai-Chi because it is an easy means of activity, and is more of a means of meditation and relaxation than exercise.
In any event, it has been established that greater muscular loading and functional improvement can be had with stable exercises as opposed to unstable Swiss ball exercises.
Now, for an exercise system to be “Functional,” it should meet the author’s criteria: 1.
Training to failure and believing in “No pain, no gain,” according to the author, “Results in dysfunctional exercise and less functional people.” The idea of “No pain, no gain” is exaggerated, although well meaning at one point in the history of exercise.
Needless to say that an intense exercise program that improves blood cholesterol, blood pressure, resting heart rate, cardiovascular endurance, heart resilience, strength, muscle, and ADL function certainly is “Fitness with health.” Moreover, the term “Fitness” means “The quality or state of being fit,” and “Fit” means “To be well adapted or suitable for”.
Would the latter not have a positive bearing on the former? Certainly it would, but since it is not “Exact” to everyday movements, the author condemns such actions, and without realizing that any “Functional exercise” also is not exact to daily activities.
The extent to which that happens varies, thus depending on the quality of movement and effort far more than how dynamic or unstable an exercise happens to be.
Three, function required in specific activity requires practice of the specific activity to improve that ability, whereas exercise provides general conditioning and strength improvements that then support the specific sporting movements.
Selection of an exercise or exercise regimen must consider the desired outcome on all primary physiological systems of the body.
“Every intent and attempt should be to improve the exerciser’s physiology through exercise, or the exercise regimen can’t be considered functional.” Please explain how stabilizing on a Swiss ball while performing dumbbell presses can account for all the primary physiological systems, whereas working the muscles with heavier resistance and with greater physical/mental effort in a stable environment cannot.
Selection of an exercise or exercise regimen must take into account a person’s emotional, mental and spiritual components.
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