As a child, I reveled in the joy of playing every sport imaginable. Little did I know that I would then use this as part of my active physiotherapy practice.
Growing up in a small town meant participation was almost mandatory, or there would be no team at all. As I approached adulthood, I continued to engage in physical activity but no longer participated in organized sports. I would say, I am not an athlete. But here’s the thing: athleticism isn’t confined to the realms of organized sports. We all demand athletic feats from our bodies on a daily basis.
Athletic Demands Of Everyday Life
Consider the simple act of running up and down stairs to do laundry. It may seem mundane, but diving deeper, and you’ll realize it requires power, balance, and coordination. It’s a microcosm of athleticism hidden in our daily routines.
Active Physiotherapy- Training for Life Itself:
Training like an athlete isn’t reserved solely for those preparing for competitive events. Rather, it’s a mindset of training for life itself. Athletes train not just to excel in their respective sports but to enhance their overall physical capabilities, resilience, and longevity. Similarly, incorporating elements of agility, speed, and power into our daily workouts or rehabilitation isn’t merely about achieving a specific goal; it’s about equipping ourselves to navigate life’s challenges with grace and strength. Whether it’s chasing after children, carrying groceries up flights of stairs, or simply maintaining independence as we age, the principles of athletic training encourage us to confront life’s obstacles head-on. By embracing this philosophy, we cultivate a lifestyle centered around vitality, functionality, and the relentless pursuit of our personal best – both on and off the field.
The Misconceptions and Realities:
So, why don’t we train to meet these demands of life? Life tends to keep us pretty busy, doesn’t it? Between work, family commitments, and everything else vying for our attention, hitting the gym often slips down the priority list. We also assume that we are doing enough in our daily lives to meet our physical requirements. The harsh reality is; we aren’t. Plus, there’s this misconception that training like an athlete is reserved for the pros – but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Mastering Active Physiotherapy- Aging with Grace:
Let’s take another scenario. Many of us have experienced the acrobatics required to wrestle tiny humans into ski pants. Suddenly, a once-simple task leaves us nursing unexpected aches and pains. We blame it on “old age” – a convenient scapegoat. But the truth is, age isn’t the culprit; it’s our neglect of physical activity that leaves us unprepared for life’s challenges.
Consider the master’s athletes (>80+ years old) we often marvel at on sports channels or in the news. These individuals embody the unwavering commitment to training that enables them to continue tackling fairly intense physical tasks well into their later years. Despite their age, they demonstrate remarkable resilience and vigor, showcasing the profound benefits of consistent exercise and conditioning. From sprinting across tracks to lifting weights with precision, they defy conventional notions of aging and injury. Their ability to engage in such demanding activities without sustaining significant harm speaks volumes about the transformative power of dedicated training regimens. It underscores the importance of nurturing our bodies throughout our lives, emphasizing that age should never be a barrier to pursuing an active and fulfilling lifestyle.
The Essence of Exercise:
The crux of the matter is this: exercise isn’t just about vanity or sculpting beach-ready bodies. It’s about fostering agility, speed, and power to sustain our lifestyles and facilitate successful rehabilitation.
Embracing Active Physio:
Incorporating agility drills, speed workouts, and power exercises into our routines isn’t just for athletes; it’s for everyone striving to live life to the fullest. So, let’s lace up those sneakers, embrace our inner athletes, and train not just for the game but for the game of life itself.