Health Benefits of Headstand and Movement Literacy

Health Benefits of Headstand

• Strengthens muscles
• Improves brain functions
• Improves lung function
• Improves cardiovascular circulation
• Stimulates blood flow to the head
• Releases endorphins
• Increases hemoglobin
• Improves eyesight
• Stimulates sexual hormones
• Reduces varicose veins

Learning Objectives

• Students will define the Optimum Performance Pyramid
• Students will explain the importance of understanding the Optimum Performance Pyramid.
• Students will perform specific exercises aligned to the Optimum Performance Pyramid.

Introduction to Movement Literacy

• Physical literacy develops abilities, understanding, and behaviors to confidently and enthusiastically engage in physical activities.
• Everyone has the capacity to appreciate, cultivate, and sustain positive physical activity habits.
• Physical literacy encompasses comprehensive lifelong learning through movement and physical activity.
• It benefits physical, psychological, social, and cognitive health and well-being.
• Physical literacy equips individuals with physical skills, fitness, attitudes, motivation related to movement, and social skills.

Introduction to Nutrition and Wellness

• Nutrition plays a vital role in achieving physical fitness.
• Food is the fuel for the body.
• Nutritious food boosts stamina and helps exercise better.
• Nutrition enhances physical health, athletic performance, and fitness.

Optimum Performance Pyramid

• The Functional Pyramid is a guide for preparing athletes for specific sports.
• Focusing on one area can result in athletes being too strong or weak, or too skilled or unskilled.
• Power and skill cannot replace individual movement patterns.
• A balanced training program is essential.
• The first step (Movement) involves functional movement, the basis for all sports.
  • It involves squatting, stepping, and lunging.
  • Joint stability, mobility, balance, and flexibility are crucial to develop these movement patterns.
• The second step (Performance) involves performing movement patterns with power and efficiency.
  • Measured through tests or by observing performance improvements.
  • Strength, power, speed, and agility are evaluated using periodization techniques (4 to 8-week cycles).
• The final step (Sport Skill) focusses on functional skills needed for sports.
  • As the sports season nears, developing these skills becomes more important.

Optimum Performance Pyramid - Diagram

• The pyramid has three levels: Movement, Performance, and Sport Skill.
• Movement includes Balance, Stability, Mobility, Core Strength, Posture, and Flexibility.
• Performance includes Strength, Power, Speed, and Agility.
• Sport Skill refers to the specific abilities necessary for a given sport.

Optimum Performance Pyramid - Example Sports and Types of Fundamental Skills

• A matrix shows sports, and activities, and the type of fundamental skills needed for each. The matrix categorized the sports, and showed which sports were strong developers, moderate developers, and weak developers of the skills.

Conclusion

• Physical Literacy/Movement literacy develops basic human movements, fundamental skills, and foundational sport abilities.
• These skills equip individuals to participate in physical activities that enhance health throughout their lives.

Explore the numerous health benefits associated with practicing headstand, including muscle strengthening, improved brain and lung functions, and enhanced circulation. Additionally, understand the Optimum Performance Pyramid and its significance in developing physical literacy for lifelong fitness engagement.