Here's a rule of engineering that you may have heard:
Function follows form AND form follows function.
Okay, I'm not sure if it's really a rule. And I'm not sure if it originated in engineering. But it does hold true when it comes to your body.
Here's what it means:
Part 1: Function Follows Form - A ball's shape (spherical) rolls. It's literally designed (FORM) to roll (function).
Part 2: Form Follows Function - If you drag instead of roll a ball (let's say the ball is made of wood), you'll wear down the "roundness" of the ball. If you repeat that process on all of the rounded sides, you can create a block (that's one option.. but let's just imagine this is the case). So, "misuse" of the sphere can create a block - and a block's FUNCTION is to stay still (it is not made to "roll").
So, you may be wondering how this applies towards your health and your body...
There are 2 lessons we can learn from this.
Lesson 1: Your body was built to perform specific functions. Literally, the muscles, joints, bones, and every other structure (form) has an intended use (function). Using our body the way it was intended to be used leads to improved function and support of good integrity of the structures.
Over time, this means being able to do what you love to do (i.e. recreation, walking, and everything else you do on a day to day basis) better and longer without pain or restriction.
And this is the key to optimizing your body.
The opposite is ignoring the rules of Form and Function - and this leads to injury and dysfunction. Injury can be attained quickly (as in disclocating a shoulder) or slowly (as in wearing down a joint like you hip such that both bone and cartilage are affected).
If the injury is severe enough, your options become limited. Most people would choose to avoid this situation at all costs.
Lesson 2: When designing your exercise programs, you can support and enhance function by performing exercises that are "in-line" with how your body is built to move. So, it's important to carefully consider exercise selection as a component of a comprehensive program.
This means that working to increase strength while failing to consider balance and proper movements can lead to dysfunction.
The result of a balanced program is a balanced and enhanced body.
So remember to consider the lessons of FORM and FUNCTION when designing YOUR optimum body plan. Because true health and fitness really comes down to living life and functioning at your best!
Function follows form AND form follows function.
Okay, I'm not sure if it's really a rule. And I'm not sure if it originated in engineering. But it does hold true when it comes to your body.
Here's what it means:
Part 1: Function Follows Form - A ball's shape (spherical) rolls. It's literally designed (FORM) to roll (function).
Part 2: Form Follows Function - If you drag instead of roll a ball (let's say the ball is made of wood), you'll wear down the "roundness" of the ball. If you repeat that process on all of the rounded sides, you can create a block (that's one option.. but let's just imagine this is the case). So, "misuse" of the sphere can create a block - and a block's FUNCTION is to stay still (it is not made to "roll").
So, you may be wondering how this applies towards your health and your body...
There are 2 lessons we can learn from this.
Lesson 1: Your body was built to perform specific functions. Literally, the muscles, joints, bones, and every other structure (form) has an intended use (function). Using our body the way it was intended to be used leads to improved function and support of good integrity of the structures.
Over time, this means being able to do what you love to do (i.e. recreation, walking, and everything else you do on a day to day basis) better and longer without pain or restriction.
And this is the key to optimizing your body.
The opposite is ignoring the rules of Form and Function - and this leads to injury and dysfunction. Injury can be attained quickly (as in disclocating a shoulder) or slowly (as in wearing down a joint like you hip such that both bone and cartilage are affected).
If the injury is severe enough, your options become limited. Most people would choose to avoid this situation at all costs.
Lesson 2: When designing your exercise programs, you can support and enhance function by performing exercises that are "in-line" with how your body is built to move. So, it's important to carefully consider exercise selection as a component of a comprehensive program.
This means that working to increase strength while failing to consider balance and proper movements can lead to dysfunction.
The result of a balanced program is a balanced and enhanced body.
So remember to consider the lessons of FORM and FUNCTION when designing YOUR optimum body plan. Because true health and fitness really comes down to living life and functioning at your best!
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