THE IMPORTANCE & ROLE OF A "STANDARD"

We use the word "standard" on a daily basis, we're all very familiar with its meaning. A "standard" is an approved and generally accepted model of something, a rule or principle that is used as a basis for judgment, an average or normal requirement, quality, quantity, level, grade, etc.

What does having a "standard" offer us when it comes to human movement in sports, when it comes to running, swimming, cycling, etc.?

• PRECISE MODEL TO LEARN. With a standard model to learn, a student avoids the potential pitfalls of a wondering mind. Experimenting on top of a learned standard is quite different from experimenting without the basic foundation. While the first is full of advantageous discoveries, the latter is full of confusion and easily avoidable mistakes.
• PRECISE MODEL TO TEACH. If there was no standard, all teachings or attempts to teach would be disorganized, scattered, unfocused, etc. There would be no way to determine what's a mistake and what is not. There would be no way to offer clarity of the subject to a student. Teaching would be an impossible task.
• ABILITY TO IDENTIFY & CORRECT ERRORS. This is probably one of the most important attributes of any model of any "standard". When there is a clearly identified and put forth model for a standard, any deviation from that standard is easily seen. That is precisely the definition of an "error". In order for something to be labeled an error there has to be a clear standard according to which something is classified as an error. One does not exist without the other.

The claim that there is no correct running technique or any other sport technique is unfounded and is not supported by science. Moreover it does not make any sense. Unless we figure out how to defy gravity or it suddenly changes the way it works - we will abide by its current standard of operation that has not changed since the dawn of humanity.

The laws of operation of all natural forces with gravity at the helm consequently lead to a particular set of rules in movement of a human body. This standard branches out into standards in human movement when participating in various athletic activities or simply moving around. Movement related overuse injuries and pain are our signals that we're deviating from the existing standard of movement. Plain and simple.

Article by Dr. Nicholas Romanov
Composed by L. Romanov