You throw like a girl!

Don't let the title offend you. Especially if you are a guy who throws like a girl!

We've all seen it. Someone throws something to you and the entire motion used to accomplish the task looks awkward and ineffective. In addition, the object being throw falls short or goes off in some direction other than towards you.

What's going on? The motion required to perform the task of throwing is composed of elements. 1) The motion has to be possible for the body to perform. The body has to be able to move through the ranges of motion without impediment or resistance. And 2) The motion requires that the brain has a coordinated plan to contract and relax muscles in a manner and order that accomplishes the task.

Let me digress: My employer just purchased and implemented a robotic product delivery system. Items can be placed in the robot and the robot can be "told" to deliver the product to departments throughout the organization. The robot has a finite set of delivery plans in it's computer. Our brain is similar yet it's not limit to the point of failure. If for example, our robot was asked to deliver something outside the hospital, it would fail. The robot doesn't have a delivery plan for locations outside the building. If we are trying to accomplish a task that is not in the database, the brain gives the best plan available based on the data at hand and past experiences. Unfortunately, it is typically a motor plan that is poorly coordinated. Hence, "You through like a girl", comes to mind.

Why is this important to cyclists? Motor plans apply to all physical activities. Cycling effectiveness relies on the ability to accomplish a highly repetitive activity in an effective manner for long durations. Cyclists can only evaluate their ability to perform a motor plan to a certain degree. We perceive ourselves differently because we are on the inside of the body. We need to see ourselves from the outside.

Dartfish video technology allows rapid video capture, analysis and playback. It gives riders the ability to see themselves from the outside so they can make changes on the inside!