The Demand of Sand

While out for a run in my hometown last Sunday morning, I noticed how much sand was in the streets.  It looked like the beach was brought to Garden City, the remnants of a long winter and a pleasant reminder that spring and summer are, at long last, on the horizon.

It also got me thinking about what a great natural resource we Long Islanders (and all folks within driving distance of a beach) have at our disposal.  Miles of sand are within our reach, and can be used as both a rehabilitative and a training modality.

This article in last week's New York Times discusses neuromuscular training and its benefits towards reducing the risk of ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) knee injuries.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/03/19/how-a-warm-up-routine-can-save-your-knees/?_php=true&_type=blogs&emc=eta1&_r=0

What is neuromuscular training?  Think of you body as a computer, with the muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons and fascia acting as the hardware, and your nervous system acting as the software.  Our movements are dictated by, among other things, the continuous interplay between these systems.  And this system needs to be maintained, trained, and honed if we want to get maximal performance from our bodies.

When we get injured, our neuromuscular system can get thrown out of whack.  Our motor control is altered when pain is present.  Even when pain dissipates, we may still be devoid of an optimal level of communication between our software and our hardware.  This can be remedied by retraining the system.

Injuries often occur when an unexpected force demand is placed on our body, and our tissues (bone, muscle, ligaments, tendons, etc.) are not up to the challenge by being able to reflexively adapt.  In addition to maintaining strong and flexible muscles and tendons, as well as mobile joints, neuromuscular training can help your body learn to expect the unexpected.  By training this system, you will be more likely to withstand these unexpected demands on your body.

So, take advantage of the abundant local natural resource that is sand.  Whether you are in the more advanced stages of rehabilitation, or if you are preparing yourselves (or your kids) for the spring sports season, do yourselves a favor and get down to the beach.  Take your shoes off and go for a walk on the sand.  Walk on the packed sand by the water's edge, in both directions so that you take advantage of the slope on both sides of your body.  Then be sure to walk on the softer sand.  This activity, while not only enjoyable for the very act of being by the ocean, will do wonders for your neuromuscular system.

It's been a long winter here in the northeast.  Aren't you all ready for a little beach time right about now?