Functional Movement
A comprehensive approach to human movement that emphasizes natural, multi-joint patterns that mirror everyday activities and fundamental survival motions.
Functional Movement
Functional movement represents an approach to human biomechanics that focuses on training the body to perform real-world movements efficiently and safely. Unlike isolated exercises, functional movements involve multiple joints and muscle groups working together in coordinated patterns.
Core Principles
- Movement Integration
- Emphasizes whole-body coordination
- Incorporates multiple planes of motion
- Reflects natural movement patterns from evolutionary fitness
- Practical Application
- Mirrors everyday activities
- Enhances performance in work and life tasks
- Supports activities of daily living
Key Movement Patterns
Fundamental Patterns
- Squatting
- Lunging
- Pushing
- Pulling
- Rotating
- Gait
- balance training
Benefits and Applications
Functional movement training provides numerous advantages:
- Improved motor control
- Enhanced proprioception
- Reduced injury risk
- Better movement efficiency
- Increased physical autonomy
Assessment and Screening
The Functional Movement Screen and similar assessment tools help identify:
- Movement limitations
- muscular imbalance
- Compensation patterns
- Injury risk factors
Role in Modern Life
In our increasingly sedentary society, functional movement has become crucial for:
- Counteracting the effects of sedentary behavior
- Restoring natural movement patterns
- Preventing repetitive stress injury
- Supporting healthy aging
Training Methodology
Effective functional movement training incorporates:
- Progressive loading
- movement variability
- Environmental challenges
- proprioceptive training
- motor learning
Scientific Foundation
Research supports functional movement through:
The practice continues to evolve as new research emerges in movement science and exercise physiology.
Applications
Functional movement principles are applied in various fields:
This holistic approach to movement represents a return to more natural, integrated patterns while incorporating modern scientific understanding and practical applications for contemporary life.