Playing With Movement: How to Explore the Many Dimensions of Physical Health and Performance

by Todd R. Hargrove

Playing with Movement is about solving “movement problems,” such as how to complete your first marathon, recover from back pain, put on more muscle, or improve agility on the soccer field. Play means moving in a way that is fun, exploratory, variable, and personally meaningful. The most capable movers - kids, animals, and athletes - develop skill and fitness through play, not “working out.” But the mainstream approach to sport training and physical therapy is all work no play. It is focused on movements that are boring, repetitive, planned, stressful, and intrinsically meaningless. This stems from viewing the body as a machine to be “fixed,” instead of an organic system that can evolve, grow, and learn. The arguments in this book are not based in romantic feel-good reasoning, but hard evidence drawn from diverse fields of study, including the sciences of play, complex systems, pain, motor control, exercise physiology, and psychology. They show that the best pathway to movement health is found not by tracking data or following algorithms, but through curious exploration of the physical world. If you want to take control of your movement health in a way that is fun, meaningful, and empowering, and learn some fascinating science on the way, this book is for you.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction

254 pages, Paperback

Published May 4, 2019

Reviews

[Neil]

High rec - https://jamesstuber.com/playing-with-...

[Jack Giesen]

A big picture look from a self-published manual therapist at our current understanding of movement, long-term wellness, and the wicked problem of chronic pain (as of 2019). The author sheds some light on many of the limitations patients face within the medical system, including the bias towards surgical interventions and making the "structural" components of the body move in a specific, normative way. Hargrove also helpfully challenges some of the assumptions that we make about pain and aging. He points to the back pain that he had in his 20s, which he addressed and (as of his 50s) has been without for a couple of decades.

While the author emphasizes that anyone dealing with pain or injury should see (or continue to see) a medical professional, the arguments laid out in this book for experimenting with movement and looking at pain within its larger environment will add excellent tools to the chronic pain patient's toolbox. Maybe it will also help me climb some V4s in the rock climbing gym!

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many interesting observations and referenced studies. However, no data was included nor references cited for anything that would disconfirm what the author was saying (and I'm sure these studies exist, whether they are out-dated etc., they should have at least been included for comprehensiveness). I also couldn't really understand why the content was presented as it was, and the ending was quite abrupt. It read more like a greatest-hits-from-my-blog, versus a well researched scientific book. Finally, I have a hard time trusting the author as he has no medical credentials and didn't have a professional publisher. He seems very smart and it may be that all info included here is valid and the latest science, but I wish there had been some way to clarify/prove that upfront.

Carrie Owerko rec.

[Anirudh Venkatesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great (re)introduction into the world of movement and play

This book inspired me to bring back play into my life. What a lovely skill I had forgotten all about! While current theories and paradigms related to movement were explained well, I really value the practice tips, which have already begun to show great results.
Instead of giving rigid recipes, the practical advice in Playing with Movement embodies the spirit of play and exploration, allowing me to find the truth and benefit, or lack thereof that they may uncover.

[Fiona · Rating 3 out of 5]

Purchased prior to Covid, just pulled off the shelf. Little about this book feels playful. I felt I was reading a summary of info Todd has learnt, and collated in response to an essay question. Perhaps, this is why ‘former attorney’ is flagged. Page 97 details “rules of the game” - Playing with Fitness - with 5 notes and caveats, ugh! Todd seems more confident with his suggestions for Playing with Movement on pages 110-111. Formatting is inconsistent and unappealing - limited effort to present information visually. Like a textbook, you will need a highlighter!

Katy Bowman’s ‘Nutritous Movement’ is mentioned. Katy’s presentation of information is far more accessible and easily integrated into each day

Darryl Edwards ‘Primal Play’ doesn’t get a mention, and is well worth checking out. Darryl’s ideas are fun and invoke joy, providing a felt sense of playing with movement.

[Kristin Juurmaa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Playing With Movement was generally an interesting read.
I am really into natural movement so I think my expectations were high for this book.
I felt that the first part or the book was more like an introduction - it was a bit slow, repeating and generalizing a lot. The second half was the fun part! It went more deeper, interesting facts and stories to cheer to. Probably will read the authors other book, too.

[Richard Smyth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought This Book (the 2nd) & bought his 1st one straight after finishing

Good insights on how to learn movements - helped convince me that the body runs itself and after you have set your objective (could be moving a ball to a target or getting milk out of the fridge) you just need to trust your body to execute your intention. I don’t suffer from any pains but could see how this section would be useful for people that do.

[em palmerton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thing I like most about this book is the explanation of pain which is very understandable, readable, and easy to share with clients. Must read for movement professionals.