I often use the analogy of a NASCAR to the athlete. A bigger engine will not ensure the driver will win. A skilled driver will not assure a win. The NASCAR team must consider every aspect of the car in order to give them the best opportunity to win. A good driver with a big engine will be unsuccessful if the team has overlooked a loose or tight front end, bad tire or spark plug. Over the course of hundreds of miles in a given race the car will be stressed to the point of failure or break down. It is in this way that I look at an athlete. A big engine and skill may not get you to the winners circle.
As an athlete, if you have been frustrated by your performance, despite your best efforts, or you have been prone to injuries (of a non-contact nature) you need to consider seeking a expert in sports-medicine for a movement evaluation. A sports-medicine expert, properly trained in how the body fundamentally moves, can evaluate you, identify deficits in your movement, and prescribe corrective exercises. Personally, I consider the prescription of exercises like prescribing medication. Some athletes require a certain exercise to correct their particular movement problem. Athletes are not all the same. The prescription of specific exercises will enhance the athletes efficiency, reducing energy demands, reduce risk for injuries, and most importantly increase performance.
The human body and human locomotion is an engineering marvel and it is for that reason that I was drawn to achieving a better understand of how humans move. Successful athletes need to realize time must be given to assure they move fundamentally well. Building your body to be stronger and building your skill to be sharper is only two of the building blocks. The foundation is the necessity to ensure you move well to begin with.
