Muscle Activation Technique for Female Athletes
Muscle Activation TechniqueTM
What is MAT?
MAT assesses and corrects muscular imbalances that are often related to pain and injury. MAT views muscle tightness as a form of protection in the body, caused by weak or inhibited muscles. Muscles must be able to perform their required function as needed when forces are placed on a joint. When a muscle is inhibited, or lost what’s called proprioceptive input, it is unable to perform its job efficiently. This creates instability and tightness in surrounding joints as the body attempts to protect itself.
How can MAT help my daughters’ performance and keep her healthy?
MAT not only helps athletes recover from injuries quickly, but it also helps them from happening in the first place. Preparing the body to be more efficient in training and athletic performance, the potential for injury is reduced. In order to reach optimal performance capabilities, an athlete is forced to train at a high level of intensity. Because of this, there is always potential for injury. Some athletes may be predisposed to injuries due to muscular imbalances and the stresses that are placed on the joints and soft tissue because of the imbalances. When they train, the imbalances are magnified which leaves the body vulnerable to injury. Eventually, unable to tolerate the stress, they break down and become injured. The goal of MAT® is to correct the problem before an injury occurs.
My daughter isn’t injured, why would MAT be important for her?
An injury is a ’symptom’ of a deeper issue. The symptom is not the problem. When the body is asked to manage high levels of stress placed into the joints, it is imperative that it be able to tolerate those stresses. MAT is unique because it can identify areas of the body that are vulnerable. It can find the weak links before those links are broken. MAT can get to the root of the problem before it becomes an issue, as well as correct imbalances that are present during and after an injury.
My daughter has so much going on now, how important is MAT to her training schedule?
It is like driving a car with bad alignment. The faster you drive it, the faster the tires are going to wear out. The body functions the same way. If an athlete has muscular imbalances, the abnormal alignment results in increased stress on the joints and muscles. Taking the car in for regular maintenance checks and tune-ups, you are protecting your investment. The human body should be treated in just the same way; if not better!
How will MAT be applied to the fitness program?
After assessments and corrections have been made, a better understanding of the girls’ body will be available. Specific ‘homework’ may be sent home with her to reinforce the corrections.
During the training classes adjustments will be made for each girl and their own imbalances. This is done so that muscle strength will slowly increase and imbalances will start to diminish.
6 Responses to “Muscle Activation Technique for Female Athletes”
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