One skill that is often overlooked in your average exercise routine is accuracy. Now accuracy sounds like something you would need out on a sporting field - do you really need it in your fitness regime? I mean, if you're not an Olympic basketballer or an AFL footballer, does it really matter how accurate you are? Well as it turns out, it does, and here's why.
When you are attempting to move accurately you rely on a few things. Firstly, feedback from your body about where it is in space, then accurate transmission of those messages from your body to your brain, and finally an appropriate reaction from your body.
As it turns out, that feedback from your body about where it is in space is very important for your brain and for your health. It is called ‘proprioception' and these messages have been likened to the wind that drives the windmill when it comes to brain function. The more you can exercise this feedback, be it from balance or from accuracy training, the better your brain will function, the healthier and less stressed you will be.
The accurate transmission is also very important. Whilst not necessarily something that can be improved via exercise, if there is interference to the nervous system it may mean that you are not getting the full benefit from your exercise. If you think you may have some interference in this area, or would like to find out if you do, it might be time for a check up with a chiropractor.
Finally, the appropriate bodily response: in order for your body to do something accurately you need to utilise your fine muscle control and your intrinsic muscles. This means that you need to not only learn how to move something with force, but also with control. Having this fine control of your muscle fibres becomes really important when it comes to injure prevention as well as movement efficiency.
So what sorts of things can you do to add accuracy to your exercise routine? Well the good news is that things that involve accuracy are usually pretty fun - be it sports, throwing and catching a ball (against a wall if necessary) or dribbling a soccer ball between cones. In fact there are limitless ways that you can add some accuracy to your exercise routine, so have a play with it and see what you can come up with.
Have fun!
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