Functional Training Defined

by Gary Gray, PT, Doug Gray

Movement may be the most unifying language in the world. And yet, while spoken languages—English, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, etc.—have principles and rules that form and guide their respective semantic systems, the language of movement has not been categorized in this way . . . until now! The Gray Institute has taken upon itself the task of creating functional nomenclature that can accurately define and describe all movement.

To better understand functional nomenclature, it is best first to understand applied functional science. In applied functional science, physical sciences, biological sciences and behavioral sciences converge to create a scientific system for functional assessment, training and conditioning, postrehabilitation, and injury prevention for the entire movement industry. Here are a few of the primary principles:

Movement is affected by the ever-present force of gravity.
Movement occurs three-dimensionally.
Movement follows the path of least resistance.
Movement is task driven.
Movement triggers a Chain Reaction&trade throughout the body.
Movement is individualized, as people are different.

The above principles, along with many others, serve as a foundation for numerous strategies that we, as trainers, can use to create the right movements for the right reasons—and ultimately to enhance the lives of the clients we serve. The principles pave the way for millions of exercises (techniques) that can serve this purpose. On the one hand, this is exciting. On the other hand, a daunting question arises: “How does one identify, let alone describe, all exercises?” The answer is found in functional nomenclature.

Functional nomenclature is a simplified system that uses the principles of applied functional science to describe and organize all movement. This involves identifying and understanding the environments in which movement occurs; the many positions, drivers and actions of the body; the three-dimensionality of muscles and joints; the subconscious Chain Reactions™ throughout the body triggered by movement; and so on. Functional nomenclature takes the above information into account and systematically arranges it into a format that allows the movement industry to recognize, comprehend and speak the same language. With imagination comes an infinite array of movements; having a language in which all movement can be described allows for a limitless world of imagination.

Personal trainers can learn more about this concept from Gary Gray and Doug Gray at the IDEA Personal Trainer Institute™, February 25–28, 2010, in Alexandria, Virginia, where they will provide a comprehensive overview on functional nomenclature in their session “Are We Speaking the Same Language? Functional Nomenclature Defined.” For more information or to register for the event, visit the IDEA website.

Gary Gray, PT

IDEA Author/Presenter

Gary Gray, PT, is the originator and developer of many nationally-acclaimed educational programs, in... more less

Doug Gray

IDEA Author/Presenter

IDEA Fit Tips, Volume 7, Number 12

December 2009

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Martha Eddy, CMA, Ed.D.
On Dec 02, 2009

Your article on Functional Nomenclature is laudable. The various tenets that you pull together in your system seem diverse and appropriate.
As a teacher of Qualitative Movement Analysis at San Francisco State University's kinesiology department I found it effective to include Laban Movement Analysis in my teaching. While using kinematic and kinetic terminology is a great baseline for encouraging fitness and health there is a dimension missing in how best to communicate with the lay public. I found the kinesic components of LMA as described by motor learning scientists - Susan Arend Higgins and Joseph Higgins particularly compelling. Laban Movement Analysis has advanced prescriptions for three-dimensional spatial use that have been applied across different movement indiustries for over 70 years. It also integrates physical therapist Irmgard Bartenieff's elegant principles and interventions about proper body use in stillness (she coined the term dynamic alignment in the 1960s) and in movement (deep and superficial kinetic chains). Most importantly, when Bartenieff founded the Laban Institute of Movement Studies in NYC she trained hundreds of movement experts to recognize, speak clearly about, and coach the personal aspects of a movers movement style LMA discusses the body, in 3D space, with an understanding of the inner motivation behind an individual's dynamic expression through movement. It includes a component on how our relationships are also reflected in our posture and movement (sometimes viewed as 'body attitude') and always involves learning experientially in order to increase awareness. Movement is behavior and it communicates. We can help foster healthy movement through clear verbal and non-verbal communication.
I hope that whets your appetite! Now I would love to learn more about all that you integrate.
Warmly,
Dr. Martha Eddy
Director
BodyMind Fitness Certification
Center for Kinesthetic Education/Movements Afoot
49 West 27th Street
New York, NY 10027
212-414-2921
www.bodymindthinktank.com

Neil Nabbefeld
On Dec 06, 2009

I agree with Dr. Eddy (see above) that there have been many many good movement analysts that have approached this issue (ex. R.Laban for one). Nice to see the Fitness Industry starting to give these pioneers some credence, even if it means rewording previously explored work.
I encourage professionals new to this concept to work with someone that has this knowledge of 3-D awareness and terminology as it requires more than learning the words and the definitions: It demands a personal experience. It is the language of the Bodymind and thank goodness it's not considered 'whacky New Age Stuff' anymore.