As could very well guess, between cold-blooded reptiles and mammals there are substantial physiological differences.
For example, if the outside temperature is suitable, a snake or a crocodile are rearing to go on awakening, and perfectly ready to make any effort. We mammals, on the contrary, could hardly beat our personal best at a 60 metre sprint just out of bed… In other words, the physiology of performance in humans follows a Gaussian law. We are unable to deliver optimum performance starting from a state of absolute rest.
The problem of efficiency (especially in sport and martial disciplines) has already been addressed for several centuries, especially in the east. Several studies have been conducted, tests and experiments have been carried out, rational analysis has been compared with practical feedback on many levels. It is easily seen that the closer we are to the physiological conditions of maximum efficiency, the higher the quality of our performance. Also thoroughly explored are the methods by which, starting from a resting state, it is possible to enhance our performance. It is important to understand that the fullness of performance (and in this there is the whole philosophy of Performance Engineering.org) is reached not only when the metrical comparison is the best possible, but also when the performance is executed in such a way that is most beneficial for the performer’s present and future health. The term warm up was invented to refer to strategies that implement these methods, in a way that is relative to the current needs and individual, and the requirements of a specific preparation of an individual performance. Understanding the essence of the concept of warming up, and learning how to optimize it by occasionally personalizing it, is probably one of the most powerful tools available to anyone who wants to be efficient and healthy. It would be a mistake to think that these ideas are useful only to competitors, or those who seek an extraordinary, professional level performance. According to our physiological condition, even finding out how to bring a shopping bag home without joint pain, or to change a flat tire without hurting your back may represent important achievements for our health, our well-being, and the quality of our day. So keep warm, and we’ll be back with more information :) [Translated from Italian by Hayley Egan]
Image courtesy of corbisimages.com
