- #1
VantagePoint72
- 821
- 34
"Muscle Activation Techniques"?
I'm working on getting more physically active and fit, and I've received a recommendation for a (patented, naturally) exercise program (or perhaps "paradigm" is a better word) called "Muscle Activation Techniques" (main site). I know there's a lot of BS in the fitness world, and the abundance of acronyms and buzz words—and lack of scientific studies—appearing on that webpage have me a bit wary. I was hoping someone with a better knowledge of how the human body works could allay or confirm my skepticism.
There's not a lot there on the nature of the technique (which is probably another red flag), but the most detailed explanation seems to be in the FAQ http://www.muscleactivation.com/about/mat-faq/. Further details are http://www.muscleactivation.com/about/mat-theoretical-perspective/ and http://www.muscleactivation.com/mat-overview/.
As I've said, I can't find any studies on the efficacy of the technique. However, it would be helpful if PF members could comment on the theoretical foundation on which MAT is based; that is, the idea that: "every injury may have a negative impact on our neuromuscular function and that over time, the communication between the nervous system and the muscular system becomes negatively altered. If this altered communication is not regularly addressed, then the cumulative effect may be a progressive weakness of the muscular system as a whole, resulting in an increase susceptibility to pain, injury and/or degenerative issues."
Is this notion of 'muscle weakness (defined in MAT as decreased ability to contract efficiently) due to compromised communication between the muscular and nervous systems' sound? If so, then is there anything in the FAQ's overview of the program that gives it plausibility as a remedy? And, if that's the case, then is it something genuinely novel, or something that would tend to happen during any well-rounded exercise regimen?
I'm working on getting more physically active and fit, and I've received a recommendation for a (patented, naturally) exercise program (or perhaps "paradigm" is a better word) called "Muscle Activation Techniques" (main site). I know there's a lot of BS in the fitness world, and the abundance of acronyms and buzz words—and lack of scientific studies—appearing on that webpage have me a bit wary. I was hoping someone with a better knowledge of how the human body works could allay or confirm my skepticism.
There's not a lot there on the nature of the technique (which is probably another red flag), but the most detailed explanation seems to be in the FAQ http://www.muscleactivation.com/about/mat-faq/. Further details are http://www.muscleactivation.com/about/mat-theoretical-perspective/ and http://www.muscleactivation.com/mat-overview/.
As I've said, I can't find any studies on the efficacy of the technique. However, it would be helpful if PF members could comment on the theoretical foundation on which MAT is based; that is, the idea that: "every injury may have a negative impact on our neuromuscular function and that over time, the communication between the nervous system and the muscular system becomes negatively altered. If this altered communication is not regularly addressed, then the cumulative effect may be a progressive weakness of the muscular system as a whole, resulting in an increase susceptibility to pain, injury and/or degenerative issues."
Is this notion of 'muscle weakness (defined in MAT as decreased ability to contract efficiently) due to compromised communication between the muscular and nervous systems' sound? If so, then is there anything in the FAQ's overview of the program that gives it plausibility as a remedy? And, if that's the case, then is it something genuinely novel, or something that would tend to happen during any well-rounded exercise regimen?