Generation Inactive, muscle memory, and chronic pain
Posted on | June 13, 2008 | 2 Comments
My daughter was graduating from 5th grade today. Sigh.. time sure goes fast. Next thing I know, my wife and I will be gearing up for college graduation… As I was sitting there, looking at 5th graders walking onto the stage, shaking hands with the principal, I could not help but to look at their postures.
I was expecting to see postural perfection(this is 10-11 year old kids we are talking about, how bad can it be?). Kids have recess, take many breaks, they play on playground – get plenty of functional exercise… To my horror I saw miniature versions of adults with chronic pain that I treat on regular basis. What is happening?
Then it hit me – I’m witnessing Generation I(I stands for inactive) graduate from fifth grade.
More than ever physical activity is disappearing from our lives and inactivity invading it. Computer, tv, video games, books, school work, writing… whether kids are relaxing(tv, video games, computer) or working(writing, reading, using computer for school work) they are sitting!
As the kids were walking by on stage, I was seeing a sea of rounded shoulders, forward head postures, arched backs, and pelvises out of alignment.
Inactivity! How is it being able to create such an effect on these kids? Muscle memory!
Your Mom knew about muscle memory. Remember how she used to say “Keep doing that, and it will get stuck like that…?”. Turns out that she wasn’t that far off. Movement( or lack of it) gets absorbed into our muscle memory and gets remembered.
Sit in front of a computer all day long, then sit some more in a car while commuting, and to top it off – sit in front of a TV or computer at home to relax and I can guarantee that rounded shoulders and back, forward head, and improper pelvic tilt will follow you anywhere you go. Positions that your body takes on a regular basis get ’stuck’.
If the position(think sitting) is improper, muscles will get out of balance, extra pressure will be put on joints – pain will follow.
Solution? Here is my proposition to corporate America and educational system(parents too):
- Establish a new workday schedule: 8am to 2pm. Watch productivity soar(no one really works after lunch anyway). People would be a lot happier, stress free and waaaay more productive
- Give bonuses for being fit(want to make some extra money? Do something useful!)
- Combine Physical Education and Mathematics. If you take 20 steps, then take 15 more, how many steps did you take?
- Get rid of desks, instead use adjustable computer stations(you can stand, sit, or kneel). Position should adjust automatically every 20 minutes.
- Install adult size playgrounds at high schools, universities, and offices. Hold tag championships. Winner gets a bonus/scholarship.
I would work for a company like that. Would you?
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2 Responses to “Generation Inactive, muscle memory, and chronic pain”
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June 13th, 2008 @ 5:04 pm
great ideas !I would definitely work for a company like that! The elementary schools in my area only have PE class once every SIX days. That is just pathetic and sad. Our kids need to move more!
June 13th, 2008 @ 5:16 pm
Great post, and a sad prognosis for today’s kids.
I like your solutions. I would work for a company like that, but good luck finding one!
One more solution … yoga. Regular yoga practice can undo the bad muscle memory and teach your body correct posture and alignment. It also stretches and strengthens the body.