Course Outline
This 1-day course is an introduction to Aaron Mattes modality of Active Isolated stretching (AIS) and muscle activation techniques. The Aaron Mattes Method has been designed and refined for over 40 years to enable the practitioner to improve client’s functional performance while reducing the risk of injury during competition.
The goal of AIS training is to increase strength and range of motion in all planes of a joint movement to bring balance and support during rigorous 3 dimensional activity. The reason why so many of the World’s top performers use AIS over other methods is that it is an Active modality that strictly follows the laws of human biomechanics to provide highly effective results in the safest manner.
From an anatomical perspective you will be looking at:
The most common causes of pain and movement dysfunction as well as why compensation happens and how to correct or reverse it.
From a practical perspective:
Which muscles to stretch, which to foam roll, which typically benefit from isolated activation techniques and which muscles respond best to strengthening exercises.
Insights
- Learn assessment techniques, the most common causes of pain and movement dysfunction, how to use Active Isolated Stretching (AIS) to improve strength and increase ROM.
- Delivered by internationally renowned AIS practitioner and Educator, Liam Harkness
- Learning Format – 30% Theory, 70% Practical
- Course Date:
To be confirmed (1-day course)
9am to 5pm
- Early Bird: $385
Regular: $435
- Eligible for SkillsFuture & UTAP claims
Is This Course For You?
This is a great program for trainers who have an interest in corrective exercise and improving human movement. The goal of this course is to introduce students to the benefits of a neuromuscular approach to stretching and give them a series of exercises and drills used by top athletic coaches.
You will start with assessment techniques to evaluate common postural asymmetries and their link to pain and dysfunction before moving on to building practical protocols to improve joint range of motion and function.
You will also look at the benefits of stretching vs massage or foam rolling and why some muscles respond better to isolated activation techniques rather than compound strength exercises.
By the end of the course day, students will be able to recognize and reverse the two most common faulty or compensatory movement patterns that lead to pain and injuries.
Course Objectives
The skill that separates a great trainer from their peers is the ability to correct movement dysfunction to improve the quality of life for their clients! After the course students will be able to:
- Assess basic movement and understand the muscle compensation patterns that lead to joint overloading and common injuries
- Understand the science behind active assisted stretching and preform adequate stretching techniques on the 5 main muscle groups that affect posture and movement
- Build training programs to realign muscle tonicity and function
- Provide remedial exercises to clients that help decompress joints and relieve pain
Course Structure
9:00 Introduction to the course and lecturers & introduction to AIS – Who is Aaron Mattes? Why active – Why Isolated – Why Stretch? Why so many sport & training injuries? Principles of Biomechanics – Sherrington’s law: Neons 3 law of inertia: Davies’ law Introduction to Janda’s syndromes – Kyphosis, Lordosis Postural evaluation techniques:
– The Grid Standing: Frontal and Sagittal prance analysis- The relevance of good posture in Seating, Standing, Sleeping positions and the limitations of corrective exercise
– Students to pair up and asses partners posture
10:00 Anatomy of the shoulder joint
10:30 Stretching techniques for the chest and shoulders
12:00 Strength and activation techniques for the upper body
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Anatomy of the hips and pelvis
14:30 Stretching techniques for the legs and hips
16:00 Strength and activation techniques for the lower body
17:00 Review & question, and Certification
Fitness Educator
LIAM HARKNESS I.I.S.T
Founder / Chief Therapist, The Stretch Clinic Singapore
Liam graduated as a Sports Therapist in the UK in 1995 and has spent the last 20 years building his reputation as one of the finest therapists in Asia. In 2012 Liam travelled to Florida to study and work with Aaron Mattes, the founder of Active Isolated Stretching (AIS). Under Aaron’s tutelage, Liam developed his approach to sports performance and rehabilitation by learning to optimize force distribution during movement.
Liam specializes in treating patients with long-term chronic pain who have tried conventional therapies and treatments. He has a gift for helping clients translate the deeper messages behind their symptoms and empowering them to resolve the physical and emotional blocks that are often the underlying causes of health issues such as digestive disorders, poor sleep and chronic pain.
In 2016 Liam opened up The Stretch Clinic in Malaysia which uses AIS protocols to improve athletic performance, treat injuries and manage chronic pain. His client list includes World champions, Olympic gold medal winners and Champions league winning football stars as well as members of several Royal families and Heads of State.
Liam currently spends his time between the clinics in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, traveling to work with high-profile clients including in the Middle East & Europe.