By Michol Dalcourt

The concept known as Loaded Movement Training is being discussed more frequently as a missing link in current training protocols.

Loaded Movement Training can be defined as follows: Movement based-resistance training, combining full-body, task-oriented movement patterns with load.

Moving the full body with load is the kind of thing one does out in the real world, but perhaps omits from structured training.

Examples of Loaded Movement Training in the real world include physical tasks out in the yard (lifting/moving/placing objects around) and building things (lifting/moving/positioning/pounding all while in different body positions).

Our bodies were designed for these kinds of task but, due to a move away from physical tasks in daily life and our more sedentary lifestyles, many have lost the strength and agility to move well in life and in sport.

Because biology necessitates particular kinds of physical work, it is critical we take a closer look at well-known training concepts so we can be more inclusive rather than exclusive in our training philosophies. This means that traditional resistance training (squats, bicep curls, etc.) can and should sit beside movement-based resistance training (i.e., ViPR shifting patterns with locomotion).

Adding movement to your resistance training will greatly improve your ability to move well in life’s tasks and excel in sport or recreation. It’s also a very effective way to recondition, using lighter loads or off-loading through such exercises as ViPR tilting patterns.

As a trainer or athlete, challenge yourself to include Loaded Movement Training in your training routines and watch as the body responds.

Benefits of Loaded Movement Training

·         Greater adaptations in muscle, nerve, skin, fascia (because of the nature of the loading and body positions assumed)

·         Less compressive force into the body (due to tension loads rather than compressive ones)

·         Improvement in multi-directional stability/strength/power (due in part to pre-position loading)

·         Improved inter-muscular coordination (as a result of summating forces which require synergistic muscular actions)