Posture and learning: Could there be a link between posture and learning?

A recent study demonstrated that posture represents a critical aspect in the learning process in young children.

Precisely, this study demonstrates that the body has a role to play in how we learn to name objects. As well, we mention that the position of the body in space is linked with our capacity to connect ideas together.

If many studies suggest that memory is linked to localization of objects, there were no studies, until now, that demonstrated the importance of the body in space as it is linked to memory.

Here is a summary of the experimentation performed with a robot:

Part 1:
– We present to the robot an object situated to its left.
– We present to the robot an object situated to its right.
– We repeat this process many times to create an association between the posture of the robot and the objects.

Part 2:
– We now ask the robot to look to the right and to the left, but there is no object in sight.
– The command made upon the robot brought him to adopt the same posture as in part 1 of the experimentation.

Part 3:
– The same two objects are positioned where they were in part 1 of the experimentation but they are not named.
– We then present the two same objects that were previously shown but they are in different places and they are named. This brings the robot to pivot to an object that he can associate with a noun.

The robot indicated consistently a connection between the object and its noun for 20 repetitions in part 1 of the experimentation.

In subsequent tests, when the target and another object were placed in two areas designated during part 1 of the experimentation (recognition of objects was no more linked to a precise posture), the robot was not able to identify the object.

When this experimentation was repeated with children, the results were very similar. Once again, it was recognized that the position of the body was directly linked with cognition.

What remains to be seen is if, in the context where we can improve sensory-motor integration, as we do in Posturology, could we expect a higher level of cognitive gain?

The running coach

I am not too sure how we got to this point but it is definitely a thing now! I am told we can learn how to run… I have to admit that I don’t get it!

We can teach someone how to play hockey, play golf… but run?

What is the difference, you will ask me?  Read more

The importance of posture

In physical therapy, there seems to be two camps. There are those that consider that a structural anomaly is, in and of itself, strongly linked to potential issues. For others, the link is not so obvious.

Koes, a general practice professor, stipulates that in 90% of the cases, the lower back pain that individuals complain about is non-specific. Said otherwise, we don’t know why it’s there in the first place.

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The importance of structure In physical therapy, there seems

The importance of structure

In physical therapy, there seems to be two camps. There are those that consider that a structural anomaly is, in and of itself, strongly linked to potential issues. For others, the link is not so obvious.

Koes, a general practice professor, stipulates that in 90% of the cases, the lower back pain that individuals complain about is non-specific. Said otherwise, we don’t know why it’s there in the first place.

What about disc hernias?

Brinjiki’s studies (2014) demonstrate that 30% of adults in their 20’s have disc hernias. They are asymptomatic. This number increases to 84% around age 80. It is said that these are also asymptomatic.

In 2009, Baranto studied a cohort of athletes over a 15-year period and if, on one hand, he found a high incidence of disc degeneration, he did not see a correlation with pain.

What about disc degeneration?

Waris stipulates in 2007 that if you suffer from disc degeneration at a young age, it should progress but it is not necessarily linked to pain.

Brinjiki, in 2014, stipulates that if it’s 40% of youngsters in their 20’s that show signs of disc degeneration, we could say that it’s almost normal not to show signs of usage.

The choice of words used here is interesting. Normal or abnormal… we never speak of what is ideal!

So how can we help if structural data is no so fundamental?

The literature stipulates that when you reduce fear and anxiety in patients, they get better. As well, it seems that physical activity helps. Searle (2015) stipulated that resistance exercises were among the most efficient ones and Saragiatto (2016) said that exercises that improve motor control could have a positive effect.

So, if we strictly stick to the literature, structural deficits are more or less relevant yet, if we educate our patients and make them move, things should be ok!

I find this to be a bit thin. To educate to diminish anxiety and fear is good but to actually succeed in eliminating obstacles that relate to physical performance sounds more fun to me.

This is often what we are able to do when we use Posturology, which happens to take into account ontogenetic factors, motor control and structural integrity.

Sex and the brain

If it is well known that sex is beneficial for the body as a whole… what about the brain?

In rats, it was clearly shown that there is a link between sexual activity and the growth of neurons. Furthermore, we have noticed that rats could show better cognitive functions because of sex.

So what’s in it for humans?

78 women aged 18 to 29 were studied. We tested their memory for recall of abstract words and their memory for faces. Women that had sexual relations (intercourse) more often were better at remembering abstract words. What was interesting is that this association was not seen in regards to the memory of faces.

It has to be stipulated that the memory of names belongs to the hippocampus, which is the region that knows the most growth in rats. The memory of faces does not belong to the hippocampus. We believe it could be for this reason that we don’t see any changes on that level.

If it’s true that Posturology stimulates the brain, one has to concede that there are other ways of doing it that might just be more enjoyable!

 

Sex and the brain

If it is well known that sex is beneficial for the body as a whole… what about the brain?

In rats, it was clearly shown that there is a link between sexual activity and the growth of neurons. Furthermore, we have noticed that rats could show better cognitive functions because of sex. Read more

Of feet and eyes

If you’ve been reading my blogs, you’ll quickly pick up on the fact that this is not the first time I bring up the link between the feet and the eyes. That being said, a recent study (this week’s study of the week) reconfirms the link between these two sensory organs that are largely responsible of the position of the body in space. Read more