by Jeff Appel
I watched a video of Buddy Morris, Arizona Cardinals Physical Preparation Coach, a couple weeks ago, and he brought up a point that is so important to performance training today. Buddy says in the video “Here’s the problem with the country right now…technology!” He continues by making the statements that “I can solve all the functional movement screen problems in America, do you know what it is?…. Get rid of the computer, video games, and let kids go outside and play again.” “Let the brain figure things out; the brain learns by getting things wrong, that’s how the brain learns.” “The primal brain was designed for one thing: problem solving and movement.” This is not the first time I’ve heard someone say that or thought it myself.
The United States has a problem. Every day I come across athletes, parents, adults, power lifters, and sport coaches just to name a few, and the one thing too many of them have in common is that they think they have all the answers when it comes to sports performance. They think they know why they should or shouldn’t be doing something, as opposed to actually picking up a book and reading, listening to an actual educated and certified professional, doing some research, or calling an expert in that field. They often think that since they did something in high school or college, or someone at the local YMCA, 24 Hour Fitness or Gold’s Gym, or some other non-educated “expert” told them the way to do it, that it has to be the best way or the only way. These are some of the main reasons that America has so many issues when it comes to sports performance, sports related injuries, and even more importantly why America as a whole doesn’t understand sports performance or what they do vs. what they’re actually supposed to do.
Just this past weekend I had various conversations about strength, specific lifts, and how to improve one’s weaknesses at a power lifting competition. To be honest, I was at a complete loss for words because of how blind some people are as to the answers to what’s holding them back from accomplishing their goals. I definitely suggest reading this article and doing more research before just assuming that what you’ve been doing, someone told you to do, or something you did 10 or 20 years ago is the best or only way to accomplish your goals. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Don’t expect different results by doing the same things week in and week out, because the body and mind will adapt. I also suggest knowing specifically why you’re doing something or not doing something.
Check out the article, and let me know your take on this.
