Knowledge Vault
Preventing, not pretending. A shift toward better injury prevention.
In this article, we challenge the status quo of injury prevention in exercise and fitness, by reframing our approach to injury prevention and embracing better first principles we endeavour to empower individuals to reclaim agency over their health and wellbeing amidst a myriad of factors in our lifestyles that are constantly opposing our physiology.
An Upright Approach to Anxiety: Discovering the Power of Posture Control
Roger Sperry, the famous neuropsychologist and Nobel Laureate once said: "Better than 90 percent of the energy output of the brain is used in relating the physical body in its gravitational field. The more mechanically distorted a person is, the less energy available for thinking, metabolism, and healing.”
Toe Spacers and Separators: Exploring Their Benefits and Limitations
Do toe spacers work? Toe spacers aim to counteract the cramped conditions often caused by modern footwear, which can lead to foot deformities. In this article, we will look at the role of toe spacers and if there are any benefits from the Functional Patterns perspective.
How to Stop Feeling Bloated after Eating: A Multifaceted Approach
Bloating can cause discomfort, making it challenging to engage the abdominal muscles fully. The sensation of fullness or distension might deter individuals from actively contracting or engaging their abdominal muscles, which in turn, can have an adverse effect on one's posture, movement, and overall health.
Standing desk benefits: Do they really stand up?
A sedentary lifestyle is widely recognized as being a risk factor for a whole host of diseases and mortalities, with this reality, it is little wonder that there has been a monumental shift towards using standing desks while working in the office. This article will delve deeper into why standing for work may be an oversimplified solution to a deep-seated problem.
Walking for Exercise: How Beneficial is it Really?
The general consensus amongst health professionals is that getting at least 10,000 steps in a day is pivotal for our physiological health. But what if someone is consistently hitting this milestone of 10,000 steps with poor or inefficient mechanics? Would this still reduce the risks for these diseases, or would it make things much worse? This article will dive deeper into questions like these and equip the reader with the knowledge on how to tackle their fitness goals with more intention and knowledge.
What is the Proper Squat Technique?
Squats are one of the most common exercises being done at the gym in modern society and said to be one of the most optimal ways to build lower body strength. At Functional Patterns, we incorporate squats and proper squat technique into our training, in this article we will be exploring what is proper squat technique and looking at why respecting our evolutionary traits when it comes to training should be a priority rather than focusing solely on improving your squat technique.
FP First Four: The Foundations of Human Movement
In modern society, due to the development of technological advancements in our infrastructure such as grocery stores, the electrical grid, and agriculture, the function of movement for humans has slowly shifted away from hunting or fleeing from predators, and instead has turned into exercise as a means of staying healthy. In this article, we will discuss why standing, walking, running, and throwing are considered the FP First Four movements and provide insight as to what differentiates FP from the rest of the industry when it comes to your health and longevity.
Non-Sleep Deep Rest: Bio-Hack or a Hack Job?
The experience of sleep deprivation affords us a glimpse into the decline that commences when the body is denied the recovery it requires. One approach that has recently gained some time in the spotlight is called Non-Sleep Deep Rest. This article will explore the purported benefits of following NSDR protocols and why it is important to question its utility if you’re serious about optimising your health and wellbeing.
Unleash Your Core Potential: The Science Behind the Plank
The plank stands as a symbol of core strength and stability, performing these seemingly simple exercise incorrectly could undermine its benefits and potentially lead to injury. We take a deep dive into this exercise and uncover why it can lead to better posture and efficient movement!
Addressing Body Insecurity and Body Dysmorphia
Developing a functional body that can perform physical tasks in a way that gives you peace of mind will remove one more factor from your mental worry. The more tasks you perform with confidence, the more you are able to develop trust in your body and perceive it from a standpoint that values its functionality.
Solve Slouching: How to prevent a Kyphotic Posture
Most exercises done with the intention of improving fitness or strength with sloppy technique can reinforce poor posture, but even executed with perfect technique, most workouts are not accounting for fundamental variables related to moving better and they won’t help you prevent a dysfunction like kyphosis.
Is Hypermobility the Culprit behind Shoulder Injuries?
When someone has imbalance in their posture this could result in hypermobility in the joint. Tension needs to be properly oriented in the body for a person to have a stable posture, which will result in less hypermobility in the joints. Balanced tension in a person’s body is a result of bones being properly spaced in relation to each other.