"Rehab" sounds obvious, right? Fix the damage. But "prehab"? That enigmatic term leaves many of us uncertain of what it really means. Let's clear the confusion: Prehab isn't some magic shield against injury, but it's building resilience through targeted exercises. Think of it like fortifying your body's defenses, just like a healthy tree weathers the storm better than a rigid one.
The "Sport-Specific vs. Whole-Body" Debate
We get better at our sport by, well, doing the sport and sport-specific drills. But remember, all sports and activities share one commonality: our body. Building strength, conditioning, and mobility across the board creates a foundation for every activity, from graceful dives to powerful swings. This doesn't replace sport-specific practice – it allows your body to do the thing.
Prehab: Not Injury Prevention, But Risk Reduction
Let's be honest, injuries happen. But just like wearing a helmet reduces the impact of a fall, prehab reduces the likelihood of getting hurt in the first place.
Imagine the Body as a Tree:
A stiff, brittle tree snaps in the wind. A healthy, flexible one bends and sways, surviving the storm. Our bodies work similarly. Stiffness can equal vulnerability while mobility equals resilience. But remember, too much flexibility (hypermobility) can also be risky. That's where balanced mobility comes in.
What is Mobility Really?
Adapted from the definition coined by Kelly Starrett, author of Becoming a Supple Leopard, think of mobility as the perfect blend of strength and control throughout your entire range of motion. It's not just about stretching; it's about joint health, nervous system communication, and mastering complex movement patterns.
Mobility in Action:
Deep shoulder extension in dips without pain.
Squatting comfortably with weight, maintaining good breathing.
Rolling your spine smoothly from a wide stance, chin or forehead touching the floor.
Key Points about Mobility:
It's about more than just flexibility: While flexibility plays a role, mobility goes beyond simply stretching muscles. It addresses joint health, nervous system communication, and movement patterns.
It's functional: It's not just about achieving impressive poses, but about having the mobility to move freely and comfortably in your daily life and activities.
It's a system: The body is a complex system, and mobility takes into account all the interconnected factors that influence movement, not just isolated muscles or joints.
It's about progress, not perfection: Reaching perfect mobility isn't the goal. Instead, it's about identifying and addressing limitations and continuously improving your ability to move.
Prehab isn't just about preventing injuries, although it’s a pretty sweet perk. It's about building a stronger, more resilient, and ultimately, more capable version of yourself so that you can continue to move and play with confidence and freedom. If you have any questions on prehab, mobility or how to get started, please don’t hesitate to reach out. It’s kind of what I do.
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