MTS® FACTS

Compensation and Performance

Performance with compensation equates to settling for second best. Often, lack of development in fundamental balance, stability and positioning mechanics results in the use of compensation throughout the body. In the area of performance, compensation, then takes the place of efficiency because the body must adjust each times it moves.

Instead, by eliminating compensations, the body is always in correct position to move, and the athlete is able to maximize power and quickness. In addition, utilization of the correct muscle systems at the correct time prevents injury.

Compensation vary from one athlete to another. They are based on weakness, or lack of function, in one area that diverts axtion to another to create a position or movement. The best athletes tend to be the best compensators. They are able to “get the job done”, in spite of their weaknesses, by recruiting the use of other muscle systems as substitution for the weaker systems. The problem with this lies in the fact that optimal performance requires the body to be balanced, stable, and react with perfect synchronization of muscle action.

Eliminating compensation is the first step to improving performance.

Evaluation and Performance

In order to move forward, we must first know where we are. Evaluation becomes our most valuable tool in the process of performance improvement.

We have established that eliminating compensation is job one. Accomplishing this requires determining the compensation patterens for each athlete. Through an evaluation process, we can learn strengths and weaknesses of the individual athlete, and structure the drills to cue changes for that particular athlete.

Many of the typical compensation can be seen in running. Therefore, evaluation of an athlete’s running form is often where we begin.

Evaluating running form, we are looking at positioning of the feet, arms, upper body, hips, weight transfer during various phases of the run, foot timing action, and overall synchronization.This evaluation tells us a lot about how the athlete uses his or hers hips in reaction to the upper body, how the feet function, how the upper body works with the arms, and which muscle system is used first to move and how the body reacts based on this.

Through this evaluation, we are able to determine where function is strong, and where it is locking and causing compensation. From this point we can make correction and begin improvement.

Movement and Performance

Performance is dependent on efficient movement. The best of sport-specific skills are only as good as they can be applied. If an athlete is off-balance, out of position or slow, skills will suffer.

Movement relates to the ability to stabilize position, act and react with precise muscle action, change direction without losing speed or positioning, produce speed and power, and utilize the body as a unit.

Being able to count on the use of perfect movement during performance assures confidence and allows the athlete to focus on the details of the game.

The developmant of movement is a precise science. Each component of movement is addressed and developed. Proficiency is one component leads to proficiency in the next as they build onto one another to create synchronization. After training with the system, many athletes report to us that they move effortlessly, “getting from point A to point B without realizing how they got there”. Economy of effort is realized.

Using Movement Mechanics for Performance

Movement mechanics are used to teach the athlete how to stabilize position, carry the body in motion, and correctly initiate motion. The cornerstone of our movement mechanics system is the use of the foot. Because the feet are on the ground, movement in any direction must begin there. This seems obvious, but we find that most athletes use their bodies before action occurs in the feet, causing an off-balance, less than powerful motion.

We use movement mechanics to train muscle action, stability and strength of the feet as the first step, drills that initially develop this awareness progress into drills that utilize it with increasing speed, reaction and positioning.

Being able to count on the use of perfect movement during performance assures confidence and allows the athlete to focus on the skills of the game.

In order for the feet to create motion, they must be taught to push. This is a new muscle action for most athletes as they have usually used their feet to “lift and set”. By learning to push, the athlete is able to create instant, functional motion that continuses upward through the body. As each muscle system learns to respond off the previous one, synchronized action allows the body to react as a unit.

Drills that create stability in the center of the body allow movement to occur in balance. Positioning is taught here so that at each foot strike, the upper body is in alignment with mid foot. This is developed in every direction successively.

Arm action is established in exact timing with foot action throughout the drills, as well.

Using Balance and Stability for Performance

Balance and stability work as partners, creating the support necessary for movement to occur. When we speak of balance, we refer to the alignment of the body with the component of action – the foot. Stability refers to the muscular action that holds the body in correct position. Without balance, compensation replaces stability, and performance suffers.

False steps, slow reaction, and injury are usually the result of being off balance. If the body is not in position to move efficiently, an adjustment compromises the power, quickness and overall effectiveness of the move.

These adjustments are compensations that can be avoided if the athlete is balanced. From a balanced position, correct muscle action can successfully create the next powerful action.

Stability requires that muscle groups work together to allow a “lock in” effect in the body, holding positions, while another action is begun. In order for stability to develop, technique is of utmost importance. Drills must be performed in such a way that they require the muscles to do their jobs to achieve position. Many athletes are accustomed to compensating around stability points that are weak, so we must establish new strengths in weak areas to create stability. Remember, balance is only as effective as the athlete’s ability to attain position, and correct position requires stability. Our drills are designed to develop both balance and stability through emphasis on position.