Movement as Medicine: The Healing Power of Natural Human Motion

Movement and exercise are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing in a modern context. While exercise is a structured and intentional way to improve fitness or performance, movement refers to the full range of natural human motion patterns that are essential for optimal health and well-being. Movement is not just about burning calories or building muscle; it's about maintaining our ability to move freely and effortlessly throughout our lives. AKA the tools we need for optimal fight and flight responses.

In today's world, we are living incredibly less due to advancements in the human experience. With many of us spending the majority of our days sitting and working in front of screens, our bodies are not receiving the physical activity they need to perform optimally. To combat this, the fitness and sports industry has focused heavily on mechanical fitness, with training parts of the body in isolation and measuring performance and progress obsessively. But have we forgotten the importance of natural human movements that help our bodies perform optimally together?

Movement has been a fundamental part of human evolution and development. For thousands of years, humans relied on movement to hunt, gather, and survive. Our bodies evolved to be capable of a wide range of movements, including running, jumping, climbing, crawling, and throwing. However, in modern times, even those of us who exercise regularly have become mechanically 'fit', leading to a decline in our overall physical agility and health.

Fortunately, there is a growing movement (pun intended) of experts who are rediscovering the healing power of natural human motion. According to Dr Rangan Chatterjee , a leading lifestyle medicine expert, daily functional movement is essential to a healthy morning routine. Recently, Dr. Chatterjee describes his experience with Erwan Le Corre, the founder of MovNat , a movement-based training system that incorporates natural human movements to improve overall fitness and wellness.

Le Corre's approach to fitness is rooted in the idea that the human body is designed to move in a variety of ways, such as running, jumping, crawling, and climbing. By incorporating these movements into a fitness routine, individuals can improve their overall functional fitness, making everyday activities easier and reducing the risk of injury, which is a form of preventative medicine.

The benefits of a movement-based approach to fitness are supported by scientific research. A study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research found that functional movement training improved overall physical fitness and functional performance in older adults. Another study published in the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine found that incorporating functional movement training into a fitness routine reduced the risk of injury in athletes.

In addition to physical benefits, movement-based training enhances cognitive function and improves mood. To incorporate movement into daily routines, individuals can start with simple activities such as walking, stretching, and deep breathing. Incorporating natural movements such as crawling, jumping, and climbing can also improve overall functional fitness. Le Corre recommends focusing on quality over quantity and listening to the body to avoid injury.

As I have learned in my own experience, body building through out my 20s, it is important to note that prioritizing exercise without functional movement can lead to imbalances in the body and increase the risk of injury later in life. For example, focusing solely on building muscle mass through weightlifting without incorporating natural movements such as crawling and jumping will almost definitely lead to imbalances in the body and increase the risk of injury.

The human body has evolved over thousands of years to move in a variety of ways, and the ability to move freely and effortlessly is essential for our survival. In our modern world, however, we are increasingly sedentary, and our bodies are not receiving the physical activity they need to perform optimally. This lack of movement can disrupt our natural fight or flight response, leaving us vulnerable to physical and mental health issues. By prioritizing natural human movement patterns in our daily lives, we can enhance our overall functional fitness, improve our cognitive function and mood, and reduce the risk of injury. So, let's embrace movement as medicine and make it a daily habit for optimal health and well-being.