<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Previously I have written, and raved about, the book; ‘<i>Body by Science’</i> by Doug McGuff and John Little, for its volume of research and the logical approach to the point they were making.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">More recently I have read another book, and been reminded of, a point they make about health and fitness being quite different goals. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">‘<i>Intervention’</i> by Dan John is a no brainer investment for any strength training fan by the way. In this book the clarity of his logic is based on 3 decades of experience as an S&amp;C coach and he is completely honest about his failings, which also enhance his coaching. This is something I a familiar with, as I am sure you are..</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">When you get it wrong, you learn!</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">John explains, with great reasoning, the differences between health and fitness and that many clients do not realise which of these is their goal. This then interferes with the PT’s programming since the client asks for what they THINK their goal is.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">John’s view is that <i>health</i> is the homeostasis of an organism and <i>fitness</i> is simply the ability to perform a task.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">McGuff’s definitions;</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b><i>HEALTH</i></b><i>: Is a physiological state in which there is an absence of disease or pathology and that maintains the necessary biological balance between the catabolic and anabolic states.</i></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b><i>FITNESS</i></b><i>: The bodily state of being physiologically capable of handling challenges that exist above the resting threshold.</i></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">So the common theme is not only that they are not the same thing but also that it is important to understand how they can, and often do, impact upon each other and negatively.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>The Problem</b></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Example one;</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Training for a marathon, for example, demands hour and hours of repetitious high impact on hard surfaces for long periods of time. Not necessarily the best thing for our joints right? Yet many people really enjoy that challenge and feel great for achieving the distance/time they set out to do. So their <i>‘fitness</i>’ goal outweighed the <i>health</i> implication of wear and tear on their joints.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Example two;</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Preparing for a weight lifting competition requires heavy lifting loading joints beyond what the may have done previously. Again this would stress joints and yet could bring me personally so much joy should I ever get to the desired weight I wish to snatch over my head. Therefore the training goal is ‘<i>fit’ </i>for the task rather than safest for my joints.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Example three;</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Weight loss means eating less calories than the body is used to and so for many this could be a ‘<i>health’</i> related goal to reduce sugar intake for example. However if they also started running to increase calorie expenditure this could start to tip their journey into a <i>‘fitness’</i> goal should they decide to enter a race. Then we need to consider this implications of requiring MORE food again due to this higher calorie expenditure.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Finding a balance of homeostasis, while maintain optimal health is really NOT that easy when you think about it since..</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">The body is a MASTER OF COMPENSATION. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Once it has adapted something will change for either the better or worse. How you gauge better or worse is an interesting thought when you consider the goal. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>“I completed my first marathon…..but my knees are shot”</i></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>“I lost 2 stone …..but I feel shattered ALL the time”</i></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Also simply being <i>‘healthy’</i> may not have the excitement of a race or competition and so there is possibly less of a sense of ‘achievement’ as how do you measure it? I may have one example for you later…</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Now I am not suggesting it is impossible but as PT’s and fitness professionals it is essential that we have the skills to help or clients realistically and with their goal in mind. Part of that maybe keeping them on track and educating them on the implications of changing their goal as they progress, which is highly likely in many cases.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">We should have the skills to best prepare our clients for movement, be able to suggest general advise on eating well, ensure our clients exercise efficiently, wisely and safely to obtain success in reaching their desired goal.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Could we go as far as to say exercise is bad for you?</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Well that depends on the alternative!? </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Sedentary is not good</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Ultimately movement is good </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">As is consuming the right food</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">I think you understand where I am coming from, right?</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>So What Do We Do?</b></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Let’s clarify the true desire of the client, without making assumptions, right up front by asking questions that will give more clarity on what their start and end points REALLY are. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Educate the client on risks or possible outcomes and the difference so they recognise the importance of moderation and appropriate adaption.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Mots importantly, and one of the things Dan John also discusses over and over again is, the importance of assessment - REGULARLY! Every 2-6 weeks at least. “<i>If you ain’t assessing you’re guessing”</i> John states.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">So what kind of assessment/s do you do now?</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">ParQ?</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Weight/Height?</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Waist/Height?</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Sit &amp; Reach?</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Body Fat?</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">1 rep max?</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">VO2 max test?</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Lifestyle Q&amp;A?</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Food diary?</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">FMS?</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Video analysis?</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Biomechanics assessment?</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">How valid do you feel each of these test are in relation to your clients start point and end goal?</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Do you feel you are adequately equipped to assess your clients start point?</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Then can you regularly and easily re-assess AND monitor their progress objectively?</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Assessment and re-assessment is vital in demonstrating both progression and regression to allow you/the client to adapt what is being done whether it be diet, preparation for movement, exercise, number of hrs sleep, routine, recovery, lifestyle factors and so on.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Without a clear training goal, which is likely to be either <i>health OR fitness</i> predominantly, and without the ability to assess and monitor we lose specificity in our planning. We need to be able to celebrate achievement by demonstrating progress through out assessment tools!</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">One size not fit all.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Case by case.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Every client is a new challenge.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">How exciting it is to all be so different - don’t you think?</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b><a href="https://www.www.biomechanicseducation.com/diploma/dp/">Would You Like To Be Able To Assess Your Clients Biomechanics?</a></b></span></p>