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Article Posted by Blaine Brignell, April 8th, 2013

The human body is an amazingly adaptable organism. Compare these adjacent photographs of Olympians of various sports: http://reelfoto.blogspot.com/2012/08/howard-schatz-and-beverly-ornstein.html

Each individual photographed here demonstrates a lifetime of adaptation by a body genetically well suited to the demands of a particular activity; they are very real representations of a broad spectrum of health and athleticism.  From the lightweight body of a runner, to the athleticism of a decathlete, to the strength of a weightlifter, we can clearly see that how one moves has a direct impact on the formation of their body. The impact does not end there, as movement (exercise) has been found in numerous studies of broad range to have numerous quantifiable benefits; to quote: “Thus, exercise could provide a simple means to maintain brain function and promote brain plasticity.” (* 1)

I believe it is of value to briefly demonstrate that “movement” and “exercise” are, in essence, one in the same.  The Oxford English Dictionary defines exercise as “activity requiring physical effort…” and movement as “an act of changing physical location or position…” As the act of changing physical location or position requires energy and physical effort, movement is by nature exercise.

Being aware that movement has a profound impact of both physical and mental wellness, it is easy to assert that the practice of movement will directly improve the practitioner’s quality of life, for what is life without health? Unfortunately though, the inverse is true as well. The body is adaptive, but does not qualify adaptations and select only those that will be of long-term benefit. This means that we can and will adapt to poor posture or toiling over repetitive tasks just as effectively as we can adapt to climbing and running, rolling and lifting.  To build a durable, enduring, and healthy body, we therefore must move each day with the intention of minimizing the stresses that have a negative physical and mental impact (distress) and maximizing stresses that are of benefit and promote growth (eustress).

This is excellent news, for if we understand that movement (or a lack thereof) directly influences the physical and mental state, the answer to wellness is simple: move! Move often, move well, and move variably. We cannot predict what we may need to call upon our bodies to do, so prepare for all. Roll, climb, crawl, lift, swim, swing, balance, throw, catch, jump, run, skip, push, pull, and breathe your way to health. With so many ways to move, one should never feel obligated to “work out” at the gym. Opportunity to explore movement is just around every corner; pick up things off the floor with your feet, take steps two at a time, crawl under that house and clean out those raccoons. Do whatever you can, and ENJOY it! The simply act of movement will remind you of play, and the joy that play brings. If you like to walk, then walk. How about climbing trees? Great. Sparring at a dojo? Excellent. Boarding down a snowy mountain? Sounds like the right medicine to me.

Your body will adapt to how it is used. If you wish to be good at sitting, by all means sit. Know though that the maxim “use it or lose it” originates in sports and athletics, because it has long been known that to maintain the body, one must use the body. Enjoy your movement and move frequently, and you will reap the rewards of seeds well sewn.

Blaine Brignell

ElementalFitnessLab.com

BlaineBrignell.com

(850) 362-8515

* 1: Carl W. Cotman, Nicole C. Berchtold, Exercise: a behavioral intervention to enhance brain health and plasticity, Trends in Neurosciences, Volume 25, Issue 6, 1 June 2002, Pages 295-301, ISSN 0166-2236, 10.1016/S0166-2236(02)02143-4.