Structural Vs Neural Movements

1. Neural movements have less connective tissue components to them.

2. They feel more "crampy" and increase innervation of the muscle.

3. These movements are CONCENTRIC dominant.

4. These movements are key to rehabilitation in the early phases.

5. These movements are suited to higher repetitions.

6. These movements generally require much less warm-up.

7. These are generally inner range movements or the inner range is the hardest part of the movement.

8. Use these movements first in a session.

9. These movements are well suited to isometrics for pre-activation and early rehabilitation.

Eg. Spider curls, kneeling hamstring curls, squatting calf raises, Patrick step-ups, L-sits, back extensions

1. Structural are movements that have a high eccentric component or connective tissue contribution.

2. These movements are highly inflammatory and can easily cause tendon injury with too much load too soon.

3. These movements will create more structural damage and cause more connective tissues to be laid down together with muscle.

4. These movements feel STRETCHY

5. Generally these movements involve a full stretch across 2 or more joints to maximize the range of motion.

6. Examples here are Romanian Deadlifts, Donkey Calf Raises, Sissy Squats, GHD Sit-ups, Smith Curls, French Presses, etc.

7. These movements are key to rehabilitation in the later phases.

8. These movements are suited for lower reps.

9. These are the kind of movements most people will want to warm up well for.

10. The outer range is often the heaviest part of these movements.

11. These movements are best used later in a session when the tissues are warm and pliable.

1. Mixed movements often have the sticking point in the middle.

2. They have some tension on the connective tissue but don't feel like something is going to pop.

3. They also do have that "about to pop" feeling of connective tissue dominant movements.

eg. Squats, standing curls, skull crushers, etc.