#1 Stimulus and Response

[rord]

It's that simple...

Training is about Stimulus and Response (S&R). What makes the best athletes what they are, in addition to being naturally predisposed to their particular sport, is that in their training, they apply the appropriate stimulus to elicit the desired response. This is not a law that applies to olympic or professional athletes alone, it is the same for everyone.

The art in training yourself or others comes down to finding the MOST appropriate stimulus, which is to say the training regimen that provides the most benefit without causing injury. Consistent application of the stimulus causes a response that can be measured in real terms. Because you are unique, the most effective training regimen cannot be found in a book or on the internet, and then be blindly followed without input and/or consideration from you. How you are feeling on any given day, other circumstances in your life, and issues relating to what you are training for, all are factors in determining how your training should be structured. The information in these forums, as well as in other resources, will help you to be the integral component in your own S&R training. Give a man a fish... Teach a man to fish...

SEAL Fit is about the EDGE that separates good from great, and great from best.

As your Coach, I want you to understand stimulus and response, as it applies to the most effective training for you. Feel free to add to this forum as it applies to the topic.

Hoo-Yah!!

[sealteams135]

It's that simple...

As your Coach, I want you to understand stimulus and response, as it applies to the most effective training for you. Feel free to add to this forum as it applies to the topic.

Hoo-Yah!!

I understand the concept of stimulus and response, but can this also be applied to injuries? I'm training with a minor tear in my left meniscus and any kind of workout that involves my knees, which is essentially everything, is somewhat painful. I've had MRI's, X-RAYS, an orthopedic surgeon who didn't recommend surgery, a good thing, and been to a sports medicine clinic, but no one will recommend me for physical therapy. I know that these injuries take time, but how is it when pro athletes are out for these kinds of injuries they are only out for a couple of weeks to a month and back on the field. It's already been months for me and still no signs of healing.

[rord]

It's hard to give any specific advice over the internet, but here are some things to consider.

If you've been diagnosed with a minor tear, and exercise that involves bending the knee causes the bad kind of pain, but have not been cleared for surgery due to the limited extent of the injury, then maybe you have other issues going on in the knee as well.

What was the mechanism of injury? How long did you wait before beginning to exercise?

If you have not given the knee enough down time to repair, then the stimulus of exercise could be causing a recurrence of swelling and irritation in the tenons and ligaments that were injured. It might be beneficial to lay off of the kinds of exercises that cause you pain for a two week period and then start back up slowly and see if the pain returns.

[sealteams135]

[QUOTE=rord;202277]It's hard to give any specific advice over the internet, but here are some things to consider.

What was the mechanism of injury? How long did you wait before beginning to exercise?

QUOTE]

I understand and it's almost like I've heard that before! I injured myself back in March doing a SEALfit workout on a Friday afternoon, 10k with 25 pounds or more in a rucksack. I used my vest with full plates in, got lost, and ended up doing about a 12k. I was running through the woods, quite possibly overtraining myself, but I still didn't feel any pain. It came the next day doing some basic movements on another SEALfit workout. I believe knees to elbows, squats, crunches, and lunges.

I don't want to make this too long of a post, but I trained for a while after that even with swelling. As soon as I got medical attention in the form of X-Rays, MRI, and a couple visits to the sports medicine clinic I stopped for a couple of months. Should have been more than enough time, especially with icing, Naproxen/Motrin, and plenty of rest. I've started using elypticals as of a week and a half ago on the physical therapist's recommendations. Still icing as well after workouts, still avoiding deep knee bends and applying too much pressure. The pain, odly enough, is not there while I'm exercising, but I know the problem still exists. Things are looking up.

[rsctt83]

ST135

What did the tests {MRI and X rays} show and what did the MD say was injured?

[sealteams135]

ST135

What did the tests {MRI and X rays} show and what did the MD say was injured?


It was a tear in the posterior horn of the left medial meniscus along with excess fluid. The Doc said to avoid deep knee bends with pressure, substitute running for any elyptical or bike (something with less force), and ice it along with taking anti-inflamatories such as motrin/naproxen.