Asymmetry in Sport
Jump exercises in training are usually performed in an extremely controlled environment. In addition, they are typically done bilaterally with an attempt to have each foot hit at the same time; a symmetrical stance. There is nothing wrong with this, however, a further progression towards complexity is rarely made.
In action, sport is quite asymmetrical. By no means am I saying all exercises need to be performed just like sport, but variety doesn’t hurt.
Below is a nice example of two different types of pogo hops. The first video is of a bilateral, pogo hop typically seen in training. The second video is of an alternate stance pogo hop. The first is much more controlled than the second, and despite the fairly similar external appearance, the demands on the tissues are quite different.
In order to prep the tissues for the athletic demands, the use of asymmetrical controlled jumping may help expose to the tissue to the asymmetrical environment of sport.
Motor Learning:
Motor learning is much more than just hearing cues and trying replicate the movement a coach shows you. Motor learning is about being exposed to challenges and figuring out a solution. The series of challenges and solutions eventually teaches the body what is optimal for performance.
Thus, by only exposing ourselves to symmetrical environments, we are limiting the number of challenges our motor system is exposed to.
Conclusion:
Asymmetrical environments can help expose tissues to similar loading patterns that are seen in sport. However, it is not just about loading tissues, but a motor learning problem too. The simple process of exposing ankle function to asymmetrical environments is a way we can target some of these motor challenges that are seen in sport. No, it will never mimic sport itself, but training is not about mimicking sport, it is about preparing yourself for sport.
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