Movement is like a Symphony - Considerations for Rehab and Performance Professionals

I am always impressed by individuals that have musical gifts or talents. This may be singing, playing an instrument, dancing, or even mixing soundtracks. I am not musically inclined in any way. I nearly flunked band in 6th grade. My wife says I can dance, but I know she only lies to boost my confidence so I will dance with her (she loves to dance). What I have always found interesting is the natural inclination we all have to move when we hear music or a beat we like. When a baby hears music they kick their feet, wave their hands, and bounce to the beat. Why is that? No one taught them how to dance. What makes us want to move with music? I’m sorry I don’t have the answer to this, but I do see interesting parallels between music and movement.

I love analogies as a means to communicate an idea. As I was exercising today, I was thinking about music and how all the different musicians have to play in synchrony. This is very similar to the way we perform an activity like running, jumping, throwing a ball, catching, etc. Literally every task we perform occurs by coordinating the body to function in synchrony. I know this is rudimentary, but for some reason many PTs and strength and conditioning professionals do not apply this concept to their practice.

I like to think of the mind as the conductor, and the body as the orchestra. The orchestra (body) follows the guidance and timing of the conductor (mind) to produce the symphony (movement). In preparation for the performance, the entire orchestra will rehearse together. I have never heard of an orchestra (or band) rehearsing completely independently of all the other musicians. The timing and flow of the music would be off and leave the conductor frustrated.

This same idea should be applied to rehab and training programs. Instances exist where attention needs to be given to one particular muscle or muscle group (like a single instrument), but rehab and training needs to rehearse that muscle (group) back into the movement symphony. For example, let’s say you have a baseball player with a strained rotator cuff and he only does simple exercises like side-lie ER. He eventually feels better and gets back in without any movement integration. This athlete is likely to underperform and is at risk of re-injuring himself. He has not rehearsed with his entire body (orchestra) and the movement symphony will be off. That athlete needs to practice proper timing/rhythm of his entire movement system extending from his feet through his legs/pelvis/core/scapula to the tips of his fingers.

The best athletes in the world are the best because their minds are the best movement conductors. Otherwise stated, they have CNS’s with an astounding ability to command the body. They look effortless at their task because they have mastered the ability to rapidly quiet the regions/muscles that should not be participating and rapidly recruit the muscles that should be. Our rehab and training programs need to be challenging the ability to perform full body movements/activities that require timing and coordination. Doing a bench press is not going to make a linemen’s punch/jab more explosive if he is unable to create synchronous force and tension extending from his feet up to his hands in an unsupported posture.

Movement and music are beautiful. I encourage you to reflect on your own program designs. Are you conducting and rehearsing a symphony or just banging a bunch of instruments and making a lot of noise? -- To see the real importance of the neurological system, check out this article by Stu McGill Evidence of a double peak in muscle activation to enhance strike speed and force: an example with elite mixed martial arts fighters. and The effect of core training on distal limb performance during ballistic strike manoeuvres.