The Front Lines of Radically Better Health

The USA is the largest fitness market in the world, with 64 million Americans holding some kind of club membership(1). In 2021, 262 million Americans took part in some sports or fitness activity(2) .

 Yet, according to the Bone & Joint Initiative, musculoskeletal (MSK) dysfunction is pervasive, with 50% of Americans reporting some MSK pain(3). The World Health Organization reports that MSK conditions are the leading cause of disability worldwide(4) .

 An aging population–normal wear and tear–are a big contributor to all the pain. Still, with all this activity to keep healthy, why is there a disconnect? 

The Pain is Not Inevitable

According to the Bone & Joint Initiative, such dysfunction and pain “is not inevitable. We already know a great deal about how to prevent and treat these problems, but our knowledge is still incomplete, and what we do know is not optimally shared with the public and providers.”

 The disconnect is in the how. How we keep fit. How we exercise. How well we know, or don’t know, our bodies. Unfortunately, because of how individuals (who believe they are healthy) move in dysfunctional ways today, they end up at their doctor’s office, then to a physical therapist and/or chiropractor. The data shows it:  the top healthcare spending category is for MSK, at $450 billion/year, or 25% of total spend. (5)

The Power of Technology

As we all have experienced, technology is pervasive in our lives, measuring just about everything, including daily steps, heart rate, or sleep patterns. With the right technology, who better to take the lead on radically better health for all Americans than the professionals on the front lines in the fitness industry? Today, the tools are available to measure MSK function (or dysfunction) such that early detection of issues, and therefore prevention, is possible. 

 At one facility in Florida, Lake Nona Performance Club, all new members are “launched” with a multi-part assessment to measure strength, aerobic capacity, body composition, and MSK function. The MSK scorecard and 3D visualizations enable the professionals to educate members about restricted mobility, imbalances, compensations, and overall weaknesses. This baseline is then used to establish a personalized improvement plan.

 For example: one source of hip and knee pain is weak hamstring or glute muscles. Not only would new technologies to perform MSK analysis help identify this weakness early, but 3D visualizations and a scorecard support a personal training program and help educate and motivate individual club members to make improvements. What better way to head off future dysfunction and/or pain?  

A New Way to Radically Better Health

Imagine the impact if all fitness clubs across the country adopted technology and programs to address the leading healthcare issue globally. In fact, fitness professionals–with their experience and with the help of today’s technology–are on the front lines to take the lead to reach millions of people to obtain radically better health. Let’s do this!

References: 

(1)    2023 Zippia Home Workout and Gym Statistics

(2)    SBJ, “Participation Numbers, Gear Prices Grow,” 13 June 2022

(3)    “The Hidden Impact of Musculoskeletal Disorders on Americans” from the Bone & Joint Initiative

(4)    WHO “Musculoskeletal Facts”, 14 July 2022

(5)    2022 Evernorth , “Americans in Motion”