Ryan Thompson Last Resort Restoration Episode 41 " Justification & Rationalization of advancement in programming choices through a Neurological Approach/ Square 1 Systems"

On this Episode I sat down with Ryan Thompson of Last Resort Restoration, Ryan utilizes square 1 system to help provide quality preparatory methods to his clients. We start with the most important consideration in prep, how do we rationalize advancement and the concept of progression and development within our programming choices? I've seen Ryan post this ? to Strength coaches," How do we know its safe or optimal to advance? Does anyone else use the nervous system as a reference or guide?" Ryan paints a really beautiful picture on how he builds his athletes neural acceptance and utilizes the square 1 methodology to help ensure meaningful development is occurring. Ryan makes a good point in the false sense of security one can derive from seeing properly executed compound movements. If things aren't optimal at a basic level the larger patterns are built on faulty motor control/ patterning and are only engraining larger compensatory patterns. 

Ryan talks about how Motor control advances to motor patterning and then to motor learning, this allows for Ryan to begin to discuss the rationale behind utilizing the square 1 system to build strong foundational motor control patterns. This naturally leads to the discussion of threat and it's inhibitory nature, threat is a pivotal metric to gauge athlete readiness and proficiency. Input and the integration of sensory inputs determine the outputs that we see displayed within movement patterning. Therefore, ensuring that the body is in the optimal state to synthesize the sensory information that it encounters allows for safer, optimal, and more dynamic outputs. Ryan references growing in the "green" that means allowing for athletes to grow in a manner that they sense to be safe or are at the time competent in . We discuss the times in which one may want to overreach or experience what Ryan would characterize as red. It was refreshing for Ryan to state that he's actually looking for the negative test and trying to find those limiting factors, we can't have subjective ideals in mind if we truly wish to provide objective, test driven methods of advancement. 

There is so much territory covered in this episode and I feel like the perspective presented is something that is applicable and accessible to all. Many times the neurological approach is something that may be misunderstood or misinterpreted. Ryan presents thoughtful and easy ways for strength coaches to adequately and authentically development their athletes. Make sure to check out the links below for access to the VSPC as well as the code to save you $15 at checkout. 

VSPC Code FTGUPOD15 

Virtual Speed and Performance Clinic 

Last_Resort_Restoration

R_Thompson_LRR

Square 1 Systems