What are Restrictive Forces?
Restrictive forces can be thought of as any condition or movement pattern that, if left untended, would lead to a loss of quality of life or lead to a possible injury during any athletic training. Some examples might be: chronic lack of sleep, which can lead to immune dysfunction, chronic inflammation, brain shrinkage, as well as a lack of attention and poor judgment – which can lead to injury. Poor nutrition is also a concern as it can also lead to high degrees of inflammation, poor recovery, insulin resistance, et cetera… Chronic stress might also be included here with many of the same issues associated to it…
Postural conditions such as hyperkyphosis, or hyperlordosis, and rounded shoulders due to poor ergonomics in the workplace are commonplace within the gym environment, as are lower back pain, rotator-cuff issues and sciatica.
Movement restrictions such as sensory motor amnesia (SMA) – a condition where a person can’t perform a movement because they’ve temporarily “lost” the ability to communicate neurologically with some part of their muscular-skeletal system or pathological residual motor tension are also prevalent.
Poor movement patterns due to strength or balance issues are also seen quite often. Adduction during squatting – an imbalance of muscular tension – is seen quite often in detrained individuals just starting out in the gym.
Gait issues can include hyperpronation or hypersupination of the foot when walking, running or lifting.
There are also many diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, or MS that require proper management within a gym setting. Fatigue, heat, range of motion in exercises and compensations all need to be balanced to the needs of the individual.
All of these conditions can be managed or in many cases eradicated by a competent trainer, especially one with a background in Somatics, or one of the yoga therapy schools.
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