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Muscle pain and the rowing boat analogy.

June 24, 2014 by Paul

Imagine an 8 man rowing crew as you would find in a boat race pictured below.

muscle pain rowing boat analogy

Now imagine that half way through the race 4 of the crew decide to stop rowing and sit admiring the view. What happens to the boat?

First of all it becomes unstable and more than likely begins to drift off course. As the race progresses the four rowing no doubt begin to complain as they are forced to work harder.

What is the solution to this situation?

Do you focus your attention on the four who are complaining? Finding a way to calm them down and encourage them on. Or do you get the four taking a tea break to start contributing again?

This analogy may help to explain the discomfort felt in your muscular system when some of its members lose their ability to contract. It may also be why the muscles that are causing you the most discomfort may not be the problem.

By ensuring everybody in the boat is pulling their weight, you keep the boat moving faster with less effort. You also reduce the risk of injury to those that are doing the most work.

Muscle Activation Techniques (MAT) enables us to precisely locate the muscles that are simply admiring the view. Helping them to function better will add stability and get you moving faster with less effort and less pain.

Filed Under: Rehabilitation, Training

Muscle Activation Techniques; What is it? How can it help me?
Strength training as effective as stretching for improving flexibility.

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