The SAID Principle
‘SAID’ stands for Specific Adaptation to Imposed Demand
In other words, the body attempts to get better at the movement that one repeats, strengthening that muscle in that movement. For a right-handed tennis player, the muscles get bigger and stronger in the right arm, and so will the tendons and ligaments.
How does that influence your fitness program?
If you are following the same fitness program for an extended period, you only get better at those movements or exercises.
The body has over 600 muscles. It is unlikely that the exercises or movements in a repetitive program strengthens all the muscles and move the joints in all directions. One would need to move in all directions to balance and strengthen the muscles and joints. If not, the muscles only strengthen the movement that is practiced.
This is why variety is good for you
The best practice is to vary any exercise routine or the individual movements. Mix it up a bit. Try different exercises and different poses. Use it or lose it. As we age, the shoulder joint is one of the joints that loses range of motion because we don’t move it or exercise it in all directions.
The shoulder can move in eight directions:
- flexion and extension
- abduction and adduction
- internal and external rotation
- horizontal abduction and adduction.
All need to be exercised.
How limited movements affect you
Teaching has allowed me to witness a large number of people who have no idea that they cannot move their arms in a motion similar to swimming the front crawl simply because they have long since stopped moving their arms in different directions.
That is why I vary the exercises and yoga poses for my clients and in my classes. By moving in many directions, clients have a better chance of using more muscles, thus keeping the joints flexible and more balanced. Moving the joints in all directions is key to flexibility and strength.
Also, variety helps keep you mindful, so you are not moving on auto-pilot.
If you would like help on your wellness journey, schedule a private consultation.
Related Articles:
Manage Back Pain: Focus on What You CAN Do
Focusing on what you can do, which includes tracking your daily activities and recognizing your successes, is extremely beneficial when managing back pain.
Break Free from Limiting Beliefs to Overcome Chronic Pain
Break free from limiting beliefs that can have a profound effect on chronic pain. This guide will show you how to stay positive and set attainable goals.
How to Avoid Back Pain: Simple Tips for a Pain-Free Life
Follow these simple tips to ensure you do your best to avoid developing back pain, a common issue plagued by many people.
Affirmations and Visualization to Improve Health
You have the power to improve your health through affirmations and visualization. When combined, these two techniques have a profound and measurable impact on our mind and body.