We defined the concept of limitations about midway in the bracing series where we explained that they can refer to anything from flexibility and ROM issues to chronic and nagging (and often "serious") injuries.
While a definition is informative, it can only take one so far in being able to effect real change. And thus in part 5, the real motivation was highlighted. Which is the fact that such limitations are the major barriers that come in the way of people attempting to be integrated in movement patterns and reaching their true athletic potential.
One such key barrier is people's inability to implement the tenets of integrated movement in their training. As their limitations directly impede them from being fully body aware and understand how they can have their body respond synergistically to the mechanics of the lift or movement in question.
Why limitations persist
While many lack the sincere desire to free themselves of such shackles and are satisfied with temporary hacks to "numb the pain" and continue to train, there are some who even after trying with all their might, are unable to find a permanent solution, ever.
And that is because these people look at their limitations as the cause. They never stop to wonder if there exists a single deeper/hidden issue resulting them to emanate to the surface.
Optimal body alignment and muscle firing sequence
Recall that the state of being integrated implies ...
The human body has one and only one optimal alignment and infinite sub-optimal ones.
This optimal resting alignment is only possible if one has proper control of the deep postural muscles. The intrinsic nature and the deep location of these muscles leave no way around this fact!
Thus, the inability to control the same will force other (superficial) muscles to take up the slack, leading to a sub-optimal body alignment.
When we add movement to the mix (loaded or not), it gets complicated fairly quickly. As it is not just having control that matters, but also the order of firing of the muscles.
Maintaining an optimal alignment is only possible when the muscles in the body fire in an optimal sequence.
Hence a proper and efficient execution of complex whole movements, say the Back Squat or the Snatch or Clean and Jerk, that comprise of multiple movement patterns connected with each other, is only possible if one's body performs the corresponding firing sequence.
And guess what? No matter the sequence, the deep postural muscles should be the first to contract.
Limitations as the result
Simply, going about your day to day with a sub-optimal alignment will cause one or more limitations to surface. It is a matter of time.
The degree of the suboptimality and body resilience will determine if it takes weeks or years for them to surface.
Loading a sub-optimal alignment through intensity or volume will exponentially fasten the surfacing process or them maturing into injuries.
Couple that with never executing the correct muscle firing sequence and matters get worse even faster.