© Wellness Movement Center™ 2020. All Rights Reserved. 1

What’s a Performance Enhancement Trainer? By: Brian Schwager, Founder of the Wellness Movement CenterÔ

CTP1, SFMA1, FMSC2

A Performance Enhancement Trainer™ (PET) cultivates a holistic, integrated, and scientific approach to enhancing performance. They treat the body as a whole, not the sum of its parts.

Everyone can benefit from performance enhancement, whether they’re a mother with kids, a casual fitness enthusiast, or a recreational, competitive, an occupational and tactical athlete.1 All share a common need for superior performance.

But before you begin your pursuit of enhanced performance, it’s worth keeping in mind the two Wellness Movement Center mantras: 1 “You have to feel and move well before moving more” and 2 “Don’t guess, get fully assessed.”

WMC’s 5-Step Program to enhanced wellness and movement addresses both. Follow these steps, and you’ll be on your way to the best performance of your life:

Step 1, Part 1 – Rating a person’s wellness & movement lifestyle. (The client fills out the Comprehensive Wellness & Movement Lifestyle Questionnaire. We rate and score the questionnaire and further refine our analysis during the client’s comprehensive consultation.)

Step 1, Part 2 – Comprehensive Consultation. (WMC calculates the client’s final score, which indicates the client’s physiological readiness2 for exercise. We provide the client with recommendations on how to lower a high score and which comprehensive movement assessment or screen is appropriate for them.)

Step 2 – Comprehensive Physical Assessment Step 3 – Restoration Sub-base Conditioning Phases 1A & B. Step 4 – Base Conditioning Phases 2A & B. Step 5 – Specificity Training Phases 3A & B.

Deeper explanations of each step follow below.

Step 1, Part 1 This first step begins with familiarizing the client with WMC’s proprietary 4 Principles to Wellness & Movement™ approach (Figure 1), a process that ensures the body is addressed as an integrated “system of systems.” Each system in the body interacts with each other, and with the human organism as a whole, working together to help the body maintain homeostasis. The image of the human body in the center of Figure 1 (the 4 Principles) represents the interconnectedness of this system. Once the client becomes familiar with WMC’s approach, they are instructed to complete a Comprehensive Wellness & Movement Lifestyle Questionnaire. This questionnaire rates each principle and provides us with an overall rating of your wellness & movement.

Performance Enhancement TrainerÔ

“An integrated, holistic, and scientific approach to enhancing performance”

Figure 1

© Wellness Movement Center™ 2020. All Rights Reserved. 2

WMC’S COMPREHENSIVE WELLNESS & MOVEMENT LIFESTYLE QUESTIONNAIRE AND CONSULTATIONÔ

Step 1, Part 2 – Next, we use a rating and score system (Figure 2) to identify which comprehensive movement assessment or screen the client will go through and rate their physiological readiness for exercise. If the client has a high score and/or current injury, we will take them through WMC’s Athletic Movement Assessment™. Those with a high to moderate rating and score but no current injury I will go through an Athletic Movement Screen™.

Before this consultation begins, the client is requested to fill out WMC’s Wellness & Movement Lifestyle QuestionnaireÔ, which asks a series of questions related to each of the 4 Principles to Wellness & Movement. We then take the client through a comprehensive physical assessment

We individually score the responses to each principle, then total them up to determine whether the client is moving away from or towards enhanced wellness and movement. Each score corresponds to a color on the assessment scale, the Wellness & Movement Rating Scale as shown in figure 2

Red = Indicates disease or likelihood of disease if no intervention is taken. Any result in the red suggests further assistance from WMC’s team of holistic healthcare practitioners would be very beneficial to the client. Yellow = Indicates some wellness imbalances are present. Clients in this range are likely to benefit from WMC’s team of holistic healthcare practitioners, who can help take them into the green. Green = Indicates the client is cleared. They are healthy and ready to go!

1. Whether the individual is moving away from or towards enhanced wellness and movement. 2. Which principle(s) need restoration.

3. What the individual’s readiness for exercise is. 4. Which movement assessment or screen WMC should take them through.

WMC’S COMPREHENSIVE PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT Step 2 – Our motto is “You Must Feel and Move Well Before Moving More.” With that in mind, I embrace various movement assessments and screens to rate our client’s movement potential. The movement part of the assessment is very comprehensive, as it looks at whole movement patterns, not just individual muscles. This approach is essential, because when there is a problem in one part of the body it will indirectly affect another part. Depending on what the client’s needs are, we may use a movement assessment and screen as part of the physical. Using our unique rating scales, we rate and rank a client’s movement patterns and determine their movement competency.

Using either WMC’s branded assessment or screen created for clients seeking performance enhancement, the Athletic Movement Assessment™, Athletic Movement AssessmentÔ (AMA): This assessment is used to evaluate individuals with a high physical health rating and/or current or recent injury or pain.* There is an additional assessment under the AMA umbrella, the Selected Functional Movement AssessmentÔ (SFMA) as seen in Figure 3. The SFMA rates each movement as either Functional Normal, Functional Painful, Dysfunctional Normal or Dysfunctional Painful

Figure 2

© Wellness Movement Center™ 2020. All Rights Reserved. 3

*FYI: If a client completing the Athletic Movement Assessment has a high (that is, deficient) wellness & movement rating, they will need to lower their rating and clear 75 percent on the Selected Functional Movement Assessment before moving on to final fitness assessments, the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and Dynamic Core Function Assessment. Each of these evaluations are geared toward clients seeking higher levels of training intensity and are administered before they are approved to return to their given sport or recreational activity. For those without pain or injury we use our branded Athletic Movement Screen™ and a special AMS for children.

Athletic Movement ScreenÔ (AMS): This screen is given to clients who may have a high wellness & movement rating (as indicated by the Comprehensive Wellness & Movement Lifestyle Questionnaire) but have a current or recent injury or pain. The AMS includes the FMS (Figures 4), and includes a Movement Rating Screen (Figure 5) will help determine the client’s risk factors for movement dysfunction. WMC will also assess the individual’s posture, joint range of motion, flexibility, static and dynamic core function, and righting and tilting reflex3 function.

The Functional Movement Screen is an evaluation that documents client performance of the seven basic movement patterns. Movement Rating Scale Using both WMC’s branded assessments and movement screens and the Functional Movement Screen™ I can rate each movement and function of the core using WMC’s Movement Rating Scale I can determine the loss of movement competency, impairment, and lack of flexibility and core function. Our unique colored rating helps identify movements that are cleared, have cautionary indicators or painful. The FMS scores each movement between 1, 2 or 3, a 1 indicates major movement imbalances, a 2 indicates minor movement imbalances and 3 is a cleared rating. A perfect score is a 21 and WMC has created their own baseline for general fitness as a 14. Those client's that need higher levels of fitness & performance will require a higher rating. WMC’s Colored Rating Scale Red: Indicates pain, which represents danger and the need for further assistance from WMC’s team of holistic

healthcare practitioners. Yellow: Indicates the client is unable to perform and requires restoration. Green: Indicates the client is cleared for activity.

Functional Movement Screen™

TEST RAW SCORE

POST SCREENING TEST SCORE

FINAL SCORE

COMMENTS

Active Straight Leg Raise

RT

LT

Shoulder Mobility Hand Length:

RT

LT

Rotary Stability (RS) Ipsilateral Contralateral

RT LT

RT arm LT leg Ext.

LT arm RT leg Ext

Trunk Stability Push-Up (TSPU) Regular Push-up Standing

In-Line Lunge (ILL) RT ®

LT ®

Hurdle Step (HS) Shin measurement:

RT ­

LT ­

Deep Squat (DS) Without heel lift ü With heel lift ü

TOTAL SCORE AND RATING

0 Pain

2 Caution

3 Cleared

Figure 5

Figure 4

Figure 3

© Wellness Movement Center™ 2020. All Rights Reserved. 4

This assessment and/or screen are all part of WMC’s unique ‘Performance Pyramid” as seen in Figure 6. This illustration helps to the show the importance of a solid base of support that is needed prior to enhancing both performance ad skill. You’re only as strong as your weakest link, this can only be detected with both a a comprehensive consultation and physical assessment.

WMC’s 3 STEP PROGRAM FOR ENHANCED PERFORMANCE Step 3 – Using WMC’s branded Corrective Exercise SystemÔ

This phase literally “reprograms” the client’s neuromuscular system (nervous system and muscles). By reactivating and/or conditioning the body’s deep stabilizer system, they can regain postural control and joint and spine stability. Clients use WMC’s unique neuromuscular isolated and integrated exercises to enhance their brain and muscle communication.

Step 4 – Phase 2A, B and C Base Conditioning - Functional Strength & Conditioning Training Now that the client has restored their postural and deep stabilizer system, they are ready to start a dynamic approach to (further increase) stability. In this step we will integrate various biomechanical approaches to conditioning, each of which targets a specific outcome. This phase involves working with various types of functional resistance equipment that will enhance the performance in preparation for Phase 3.

Step 5: Specificity Phase 3 Sports Specific Conditioning. This optional phase, reserved primarily for the serious athlete, requires a commitment to taking a multifaceted approach to training. At this point in the program WMC will introduce the client/athlete to a periodization training system that includes complex high-intensity exercises that will enhance their strength, endurance, power, speed, agility, and coordination.

THE PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT TRAINERÔ TITLE WAS INSPIRED BY BRIAN SCHWAGER’S DISTINCT BACKGROUND IN WELLNESS AND FITNESS

I have over 35 years of qualified knowledge and experience. Since 2006 I have been studying through the world renowned CHEK Institute, CHEK stands for Corrective Holistic Exercise Kinesiology. I am currently enrolled in the 4 level CHEK Practitioner program, currently I am certified as a CHEK Trainer Professional Level 1 (CTP1). I have completed the requirements in becoming an IMS Level 2, IMS stands for Integrated Movement Science. I am currently pre-qualifying to become a CHEK Practitioner Level 2. The CHEK Institute opened my mind to a whole new way of integrating wellness and movement together and treating the body, not just the symptoms.

In addition, I have studied extensively through Functional Movement Systems, where I became certified as a specialist in administering the Functional Movement Screen™ and Selected Functional Movement Assessment™. I also use a variety of different mindful, corrective, functional, strength, endurance and high-intensity exercise methods, concepts and systems. I cultivate a Taoist philosophy in that I do not limited myself to any specific concept, style or system when it comes to enhancing a person's wellness or movement. Instead, I only use what’s right for the client. I have also had the opportunity to work with some of the top orthopedic doctors, physical therapists and athletic trainers in the field, including the head physical therapist and athletic trainer for the United States Olympic Speed Skaters between 1992 and 1994. I was the strength and conditioning coach and training and sparring partner for the welterweight world-class kickboxer B.J. Lavota and for power-lifter Joe Shiller who won 3rd place in the world power-lifting championships in Las Vegas, and other clients have included

Figure 6

Figure 6

© Wellness Movement Center™ 2020. All Rights Reserved. 5

professional ballroom dancers, triathletes, a college football and soccer player, competitive tennis player and 2 clients who were preparing to join the Navy Seal’s. TESTIMONIAL FROM ATHLETIC CLIENT

I knew when I started looking for a practitioner to help me with my physical issues, I wanted to work with the best I could find. With his background training as a CHEK Practitioners and his deep understanding of the holistic nature of human health, I felt extremely comfortable working with Brian to correct my imbalances.

I live 7 hours away from the Wellness Movement Center, so I was concerned initially with how the long distance might slow my progress towards health. However, with Brian’s detailed and comprehensive coaching as well as his personalized video demonstrations my concerns were quickly alleviated. In only a few months the pains I came to him with have all been remedied and now we are already working towards my athletic goals.

It has been such a privilege for me to work with a true master like Brian. In fact, my time with him has inspired me to look into a career in health & wellness. If you are looking to alleviate pain and to learn how to take control over your own health then I highly recommend that you contact Brian and the Wellness Movement Center today! Vincent N. New Port News, VA REFERENCES 1 Occupational and tactical athlete: anyone who makes a living using extrema mental and physical talents to perform jobs. Their careers require more skill, strength, flexibility, coordination, and endurance than the typical worker (i.e., office worker). Examples of these athletes include S.W.A.T fire fighters, EMT’s, military & special forces, law enforcement officers, construction workers, , and any other labor-intensive occupation.

2 Physiological readiness: refers to the body’s preparedness for physical training. The human body is a multidimensional organism made up of a system of systems including the immune, nervous, endocrine, digestive, muscular, skeletal, hormonal, cardiovascular, and lymphatic systems. Each one affects the other, and as the 4 Principles make clear, each system can throw the other out of balance. When this happens, it is because a system (or multiple systems) is stressed. How well these systems work together indicates an individual’s readiness for exercise. If several systems are not functioning optimally, the cumulative effect on the body is highly stressful, and thus, physiological readiness is low.

3 Righting and tilting reflexes: Righting reflexes help the body to respond to rapid loss of balance when we are on fixed and stable surfaces; i.e., if you are walking and you hit your foot in a raised crack on the sidewalk and suddenly lost your balance, you would primarily use your righting reflex reactions to stabilize you. Tilting reflexes help the body respond to changes in support when the surface underneath us moves, like when we are on a skateboard, horse, moving sidewalk, or balancing on a rocker board.

Brian L. Schwager is the founder and director of client programs and services at the Wellness Movement Center™.

Brian is a Wellness Movement SpecialistÔ and Performance Enhancement TrainerÔ with more than 35 years of

expertise. Brian is passionate about his work and is held in high esteem within the health and fitness field as an

Integrated Movement Science Level 2 Practitioner (IMS2), a Certified Functional Movement Screen SpecialistÔ

(FMS2), and Selected Functional Movement AssessmentÔ Specialist, Level 1(SFMA1).

Brian has owned several fitness businesses and used and/or subcontracted his expertise in a variety of settings such as

sports medicine, pain management, wellness and chiropractic centers.

Contact Information: 828-667-9334, info@wellnesmovementcenter.com. www.wellnessmovementcenter.com.

Disclaimer: As a service to our readers, Wellness Movement Center provides articles (such as this) offering wellness and fitness information. No content in this article, however, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.