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Stretching and Reaching Out: Bridging the Gap Between the Medical and Fitness Communities
Author(s) -
Sager Carrie,
McCulloch Matthew,
Laitman Jeffrey
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.5.a143-c
Subject(s) - presentation (obstetrics) , session (web analytics) , medical education , bridging (networking) , program director , medicine , psychology , surgery , computer science , computer network , world wide web
Fitness professionals work with bodies every day, but they rarely, if ever, have the opportunity to visualize the anatomy that lies beneath. In July 2006, our team—anatomists, physicians, medical students and pilates instructors—joined together to offer the first “Functional Anatomy Workshop for Movement & Conditioning.” This experience was an intensive, four‐day, hands‐on workshop designed to provide fitness professionals with the anatomical knowledge needed to properly train clients. Each day of the workshop began with a foundation discussion on a particular musculoskeletal area (e.g., vertebral column, lower extremity, upper extremity, pelvic floor, and abdominal wall musculature). The workshop participants then viewed prosected specimens of the day's topic and participated in interactive discussions. Each day concluded with a presentation and Q&A session on common injuries given by Mount Sinai neurologists, orthopedists, and sports medicine specialists. On the last day, small‐group sessions led by faculty, students, and pilates instructors reviewed patient‐based scenarios and discussed anatomical correlates. Overall, more than 30 fitness professionals from 6 states and Japan participated in the workshop and subsequently received a 25‐question email survey to garner feedback. Responses were positive, with 89 percent of respondents agreeing that the lectures and presentations improved their ability to work with injured clients. All responses are currently being used to guide expansion for 2007. In conclusion, we hope this workshop begins to bridge the gap between the medical and fitness communities and establishes a forum for communication among all musculoskeletal experts. After all, we are all working toward the same healthy goal.