The CNS and athletic development

What does the Central Nervous System have to do with you becoming a better athlete?

... Glad you asked.

The CNS consists of the brain and the spinal chord - two mildly important elements - and not only controls muscles but also recieves information from the body. This information - which we get from doing things provides us with information which we can regulate. Over the course of our lives we collect, store and learn to use this information.

Now, when it comes to athletics, having great genetics helps, but our individual genetic plan alone, isn't sufficent to create movement. Our CNS develops as a result of two things:

1. Activity Dependant Development and ...

2. Spontaneous CNS Development

Since I've never been one for techno gibberish, activity dependant development is basically new connections we make as a result of activity. Here, the quality of the activity is crucial. Spontaneous development is just stuff that happens anyway. It's basically what you got from nature - your genetics.

As I said, your genes are important but they are not enough. To really stimulate the development of your nervous system you absolutely need to focus on good quality activities. If what you are doing in training is poor quality activity - not movement based and you spend your time sitting on some stupid weight machine for example - then your nervous system will not fully develop.

Lets take Rafael Nadal as an example. Rafa had great sporting genes as his uncle was a top soccer player in Spain. This would have been enough to take young Rafa to a certain level but it's highly unlikely young Rafa would have turned into the monster Rafa of today without sage like Uncle Toni steering him in the right direction - guidance is critical - activity wise.

So, to fully develop as an athlete and even as a functional adult, focus on quality activities. Things such as inchworms, spiderman climbs and crab walks might not be what your friends or competitiors are doing exercise wise, but kiddies, it's the kind of stuff you need to be doing.

(References: IYCA YFS1)