Stretching can be broken down into two basic categories: static and dynamic.
Most people are familiar with static stretching, which consists of lengthening a muscle to its end range and holding that stretch for a period of time (30-90 seconds). A static stretch may also be held longer, with a deepening of the stretch every 30 seconds or so. Dynamic stretching employs movement while stretching, with the stretch being held for a considerably shorter time (no longer than 15 seconds, but typically less than 1-2 seconds).
Practical Movement is movement with awareness, with no stopping. Therefore, there is no stretch to be held. This is significant because of the mechanisms that are triggered when holding a stretch. Conscious movement as performed in Practical Movement affects the gamma and alpha motor systems of the nervous system in such a way that allows the muscles to lengthen and the muscle spindles to re-set to a longer resting length without activating the stretch reflex and reciprocal inhibition. Stretching in general activates these mechanisms, causing the muscles to contract instead. Even when the stretch is voluntary, a low-grade version of the stretch reflex occurs for as long as the stretch is held [Marion Trew and Tony Everett, eds., Human Movement: An Introductory Text, 3rd edition. (New York: Pearson Professional Limited, Churchill Livingstone, 1997), 76-78].
However, according to its proponents, these mechanisms are not triggered when the stretch is held for two-seconds or less. While short dynamic stretching is similar to Practical Movement in this respect, the similarities end here. Both are designed to lengthen muscle which increases the range of motion. However, by adding conscious, controlled awareness to the movement, Practical Movement also provides the neuromuscular training necessary to change how the muscles move within that increased range of motion.
Only conscious movement can retrain the nervous system to move the muscles better. The nervous system learns as a result of the feedback provided to it. The type of feedback produced when holding a stretch (even for a short time) is very different than that generated through conscious movement. In order to learn a new movement pattern and retrain dysfunctional ones, movement is required to change how the nervous system creates that movement.
Practical Movement provides the neuromuscular retraining necessary to restore balance to the musculature and ultimately the posture, allowing the body to perform more efficiently in gravity and with less effort from the neuromuscular system.
|