Episode 49: “Motor Learning and Plyometric Pistol Squats" With any sport or skill, the goal is to promote motor learning of the movement pattern. In this particular exercise, the movement pattern was a plyometric pistol squat. In the past, I’ve worked on my BODY - ankle and hip mobility, hip stability, balance, and core control. I could pump out rep after rep of pistol squats with no issues or compensations. But in order to learn a new movement pattern and successfully complete a plymometric pistol squat, I now had to work on my BRAIN. Neuroplasticity is the foundation upon which all new skills, tasks, and motor patterns are learned. Neuroplasticity refers to the potential that the brain has to reorganize by creating new neural pathways to adapt to new stimuli. By practicing a particular movement pattern over and over again, I was able to drive neuroplasticity and the motor control necessary to learn to control a plyometric pistol squat - with no movement deviations or compensations. Initially, when I attempted this 2 weeks ago, I demonstrated medial knee collapse and consistently loss my balance. But after many repetitions and practice, I was finally able to master the movement today. Next up --> lateral progressions and taller boxes. #Neuroplasticity is the key to motor skill acquisition. Check out @thebarbellphysio for an amazing 9-step pistol squat progression and read this TIME article (Google —> The Brain: How The Brain Rewires Itself) for more info on neuroplasticity. #pistolsquat #plyometrics #plyo #motorlearning #squat #slowmo ______________________________________________ The Prehab Guys: Optimizing human movement and functional capacity, promoting longevity, and keeping your body in tune one post at a time. Instilling new meaning into #physicaltherapy. Follow us on IG and Twitter, like our Facebook page, and make sure to visit www.humanperformancetherapy.com #prehab #fitness #healthandwellness #exercise #PT #DPT #DPTstudent #mobility #athlete #workout #recovery #rehab #prevention #rehabilitation #fitness #strengthandconditioning #correctiveexercise #stretching #crossfit #gainz #aesthetics #longevity #movement @uclamikey90 @arashxrex @craiglindell (at University of Southern California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BCJotzylcRL/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=19pdhqv7aih5z
