Coordination Test
Are You Risking Injury And Poor Performance?
Coordination is everything. Without it you're using muscles you don't need to be and therefore performing below your potential. You could also be risking injury as muscles that should be releasing could be contracting and resisting your movement.
When you're training flat out on your rowing machine just think about the possible impact of poorly coordinated movement. Good technique is key for good performance and reducing the chances of injury. But how do you test coordination?
You may be familiar with a test that checks you hand and eye coordination, but this one will tell you how well you move, and whether your muscles are working together or in conflict.
How you use your body during training, your sport and even your daily activities will determine how you perform - pretty obvious really. But you could be seriously limiting your performance and leaving yourself open to injury if you move in an uncoordinated way.
And the worse thing is - you may not even know it!
When you're training flat out on your rowing machine just think about the possible impact of poorly coordinated movement. Good technique is key for good performance and reducing the chances of injury. But how do you test coordination?
You may be familiar with a test that checks you hand and eye coordination, but this one will tell you how well you move, and whether your muscles are working together or in conflict.
How you use your body during training, your sport and even your daily activities will determine how you perform - pretty obvious really. But you could be seriously limiting your performance and leaving yourself open to injury if you move in an uncoordinated way.
And the worse thing is - you may not even know it!
Take the Chair Test
All you need is a chair and a friend (or a mirror or smart phone).
All you need is a chair and a friend (or a mirror or smart phone).
- Sit in a chair and ask your partner to watch what happens when you stand up. ( Or angle a mirror of use the video on your phone so you can see what's happening. )
- Does your movement look like the subject in the photo below?
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Did you pull back your head? Tighten your lower back? Push your chest forward?
Or did you feel the need to use your arms to stand? All of these actions don't help, in fact they will make it harder. Watch what other people do and see if they do any of the actions I've mentioned above. Compare with the photo below and note the absence of tension in the neck, shoulders and back. In the movement above, only those muscles needed to get you out of the chair are used - mainly the quadriceps at the front of your thighs. If you find you're pulling your head back, tightening your back, or doing anything to get ready to stand up, they'll make the movement harder work than it needs to be. If you use unnecessary and uncoordinated actions to get out of a chair, what are you doing in your training where actions are far more complex? The big question is:- If I can make getting out of a chair hard work, what am I doing in my sport and training? If you are using the wrong muscles at the wrong time what is that going to do to your body and your performance? The other big question is 'why didn't I know I was moving poorly?' |
Have you tried the cardio and balance tests?
