Ep. 273 - Biomechanics for Powerlifting feat Dr. Wes Goodman
May 6, 2024
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Dr. Wes Goodman, a Biomechanics and Motor Control PhD holder, discusses how musculoskeletal modeling can help understand squat performance. They debunk myths in powerlifting biomechanics, emphasize external cues for performance enhancement, and delve into cognitive versus ecological perspectives in motor control theory. Topics include skill acquisition through varied practice, squat biomechanics comparison, and future directions in powerlifting analysis.
Error amplification can enhance skill acquisition by promoting error detection and correction.
Dynamical systems approach highlights self-organization and variability in movement execution.
Coaching strategies involve destabilizing movement patterns to foster skill improvement.
Error amplification techniques challenge learners to correct errors autonomously for robust skill development.
Manipulating task constraints can foster learning and performance improvements in individuals.
Deep dives
Importance of Movement Variability in Learning
Movement variability plays a crucial role in learning motor skills. Inducing variability through varied practice or modifying constraints can enhance skill acquisition. An example is error amplification, where forcing learners to commit larger errors can improve long-term learning outcomes by promoting error detection and correction.
Dynamic Systems Approach to Motor Control
The podcast delves into the dynamical systems approach to motor control, which focuses on movement emerging from interactions between the task, the environment, and the individual. This perspective challenges traditional motor programs theory by highlighting the role of self-organization, attractors, and variability in movement execution.
Challenges with Motor Program Theory
The traditional cognitive perspective of motor programs suggests a linear control process originating from the brain, whereas newer dynamical systems theories emphasize decentralized control. Concepts such as error amplification, attractors, and de-stabilization of movement patterns are discussed to highlight the limitations of explicit program-based coaching strategies.
Destabilizing Movement Patterns for Skill Improvement
A key coaching strategy involves destabilizing stable movement patterns to facilitate skill improvement. By manipulating constraints or inducing errors, coaches can disrupt existing movement attractors and promote exploration, ultimately enhancing learning and skill adaptation.
Incorporating Error Amplification in Skill Acquisition
Error amplification techniques, where learners are intentionally guided to make larger errors, serve as effective tools for enhancing skill acquisition by increasing awareness of movement patterns. This approach challenges learners to detect and correct errors autonomously, leading to more robust and adaptive skill development.
Cognitive vs. Ecological Perspectives on Motor Control
Contrasting the cognitive and ecological perspectives on motor control, the podcast explores how the dynamical systems approach favors an ecological view emphasizing movement variability and interaction with the environment. This diverges from the cognitive model's brain-centricity and highlights the importance of contextual interference and error-inducing training methods for skill acquisition.
Motor Learning Theory and Manipulating Task Constraints
Coaches can manipulate task constraints to destabilize unhelpful behaviors and invite specific affordances for individuals to pick up on. By changing game rules or constraints with tools like implementing tools or implements, coaches can foster learning and performance improvements in individuals.
Role of Feedback and Autonomy in Motor Control
Providing feedback in training sessions must balance between improving immediate performance and long-term learning. It is crucial to diminish the amount of feedback given over time as individuals advance to promote self-correction and motivation. Giving individuals autonomy in decision-making process enhances learning and performance outcomes.
Understanding Movement Variability and Biomechanical Predictors
Movement variability is critical in understanding motor control and injury prevention. Biomechanical predictors of injuries may require modeling and simulation studies due to the complexity of human movement. Modeling muscle functions specific to joint levels and task interactions can provide insights into movement coordination and performance.
Wes Goodman recently completed his PhD in Exercise and Nutrition Science with an emphasis in Biomechanics and Motor Control at Montana State University under Dr. David Graham with our very own Dr. Helms on his committee as well. But he’s more than an academic, he’s a certified strength and conditioning specialist, gym owner, power lifter, strong man and Highland Games competitor! He studied how musculoskeletal modelling can help us understand the nuances of how the body performs squats. In this episode you’ll learn about the theory and application of motor control to lifting, the limitations of common biomechanics studies, and how modelling helps us understand that muscles can influence joints they don’t actually cross, and to Omar’s dismay, that a calf raise might actually be a squat accessory exercise!
00:00 Addressing the controversy before introducing our guest Sooper Gforce
Enes 2024 Effects of Different Weekly Set Progressions on Muscular Adaptations in Trained Males: Is There a Dose-Response Effect? https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37796222/
04:37 Introducing Wes Goodman and what is biomechanics?
13:15 Necromechanics, what we can measure with biomechanics and its limitations
