What is pattern overload?

The simple answer is, pattern overload is consistently repeating the same pattern of motion, for example baseball pitching or cycling. With time, such repetitive activities place excessive stress on the body. Gym members who train with the same routines repetitively are engaging in pattern overload.

Also, pattern overload is not always related to exercise, as there are many occupations that involve repetitive patterns of motion, throughout an eight- hour work day. Individuals who engage in lifting and loading of heavy boxes/packages, or even sitting for long periods of time are especially susceptible to the stressful effect of pattern overload.

Very often we cannot avoid pattern overload…so what can we do to limit the it’s negative impact, as much as possible?

The answer is flexibility training! It is an essential component to all fitness training programs as well as improving the daily functioning of our bodies.

Pattern overload leads to dysfunctions in connective tissue, thus facilitating an injury cycle, which includes inflammation; this can cause micro muscle spasms, decreasing normal elasticity of muscle tissue, resulting in limited functioning and varying degrees of pain.

Flexibility training will:

1)      Correct muscle imbalances

2)      Relieve joint stress

3)      Maintain normal functional length of all muscles

4)      Decrease excessive muscle tension

5)      Improve overall muscle synergistic function