Training Biotensegrity
Fascia and biotensegrity are interconnected concepts that play crucial roles in the human body’s structural integrity, movement efficiency, and overall function. Understanding the relationship between fascia and biotensegrity provides insight into how the body maintains stability and mobility through interconnected tension and compression forces.
Fascia: Fascia is the connective tissue network that surrounds and permeates every structure in the body, including muscles, bones, organs, and nerves. It provides support, protection, and organization to the body’s tissues and organs, forming a continuous network that distributes mechanical forces and facilitates movement. Fascia consists of collagen and elastin fibers embedded in a gel-like matrix, giving it strength and flexibility. It transmits mechanical forces, provides sensory feedback, and maintains structural integrity and stability throughout the body.
Biotensegrity: Biotensegrity is a concept that describes the structural organization of living organisms based on the principles of tension and compression. In a biotensegrity system, tension-bearing elements (muscles, tendons, and fascia) and compression-bearing elements (such as bones and organs) create a stable yet dynamic structure. The term “biotensegrity” combines “biology” and “tensegrity” (tensional integrity), emphasizing the integration of biological tissues and tensegrity principles in the body’s structure and function. Biotensegrity models suggest that the body is organized in a three-dimensional network of interconnected tension and compression elements rather than a series of isolated parts.
Relationship between Fascia and Biotensegrity
Fascia as Tension-Bearing Element
Fascia acts as a tension-bearing element in the biotensegrity system, transmitting mechanical forces and tension throughout the body. It forms continuous connections between muscles, bones, and other structures, distributing tension and supporting the body’s shape and movement.
Fascia and Compression-Bearing Elements
Fascia also interacts with compression-bearing elements such as bones and organs in the biotensegrity system. It wraps around and supports these structures, providing stability and distributing mechanical forces to maintain structural integrity.
Integration of Tension and Compression
Biotensegrity models emphasize the integration of tension and compression forces in the body, with fascia playing a pivotal role in maintaining this balance. By distributing tension and compression forces, fascia helps optimize movement efficiency, reduce stress on individual structures, and promote overall stability and mobility.
Dynamic Stability
Fascia and biotensegrity contribute to the body’s dynamic stability, allowing for coordinated movement and adaptation to external forces. The interconnectedness of fascial networks and the balance between tension and compression in the biotensegrity system enable efficient movement patterns while providing structural support and resilience.
The stronger you are, the more internal tension & compression (Biotensegrity) you can generate, which is classified as force production. Such force production, when utilized, must be released directionally to achieve the desired movement outcome. Therefore, such movement outcomes must be patterned using biotensegrity strength protocols. Such protocols must include combining traditional strength exercises with tension & compression movements. Examples of biotensegrity explosive strength exercises are:
Explosive Strength
o Henny Split Stance Superman Press
o Kieser 300 Broad Jumps
o ISO Bar Pull → Hang Clean
o Back Squat with Load Reduction Sets
o Trap Bar Deadlift → Max Height Box Jump
Sprinting
o Raptor Over and Underload Tension Sprints
o Overload Chain Sprints
o Band Hill Sprints
o Sled Drive Sprints
o Sled Pull Sprints
Bounce
o High Hurdle Pogo to Broad Jumps
o Single Leg Mid High Hurdle Pogo Continuous Jumps
o Weighted Vest Low High Reactive Pogo Box Jumps
o Weighted Vest Band Assisted Vertical Jumps → No Vest Band Assisted Vertical Jumps
o Seated Box Jump → Depth Drop → Mid-High Hurdle Pogo Continuous Jumps
o Water Bag Hug Skater Jumps
In summary, fascia and biotensegrity are closely related concepts that describe the structural organization and function of the human body. Fascia acts as a tension-bearing element within the biotensegrity system, distributing mechanical forces and supporting the body’s stability and mobility through interconnected tension and compression elements. Understanding this relationship is essential for optimizing movement quality, preventing injuries, and promoting overall well-being.