Using Visual Feedback To Improve Your Training Technique

When it comes to learning a new exercise and improving on ones you are already familiar with, visual feedback can play a big role in helping facilitate the learning process.  For some of us we may have a preference for one particular style of learning i.e. kinaestheic, visual or auditory.  When I am coaching my clients through an exercise I aim to incorporate all of these different elements so that I give my  client the best opportunity to learn and improve.  Often I will also ask my clients, what works best for them.  Many will already have an idea that they like to watch and see something before trying, or perhaps need to understand it better through explaining things to the client.  At Principle Four Osteopathy we will often use motion caption software to record our clients or take images and show this back to them so that they can watch themselves perform the exercise.  This can be simply done on the iphone or android or using other applications such as dartfish etc so that we can then slow movements down, draw on the video etc.

What got me thinking about this was an article that I recently read “Improved bench press performance through visual feedback” that was published in the strength and conditioning journal in 1994.  Whilst this is an article compared to many of the modern technology changes that have occurred since then, it is still very relevant.

Next time you are learning a new exercise or perhaps are wanting to improve on existing lifts, be sure to set your phone up and record the movement so that you can critically reflect on your technique.  Remember to take videos from several directions (anteriorly, laterally and posteriorly) so that you can assess your movement across multiple directions.

This blog post was written by osteopath Heath Williams at Principle Four Osteopathy.  At Principle Four Osteopath we provide a range of services, including osteopathy manual therapy consultations, functional movement screening, exercise prescription, strength and conditioning and rehabilitation.

Principle Four Osteopathy is one of Melbourne City CBD and Docklands leading osteopathy clinics.  Both clinics are equipped with training equipment so that we are able to get you actively involved and moving towards a better moving you.

Principle Four Osteopathy CBD clinic is located at 29 Somerset Place, Melbourne 3000.

Principle Four Osteopathy Docklands clinic is located at 717 Bourke St, Docklands, 3008.

Book an appointment online at www.principlefourosteopathy.com or call 03 9670 9290.