Dynamic tension
Encyclopedia
"Dynamic Tension" is the name Charles Atlas
gave to the system of exercises that he first popularized in the 1920s.
Dynamic Tension is a self-resistance exercise method which pits muscle
against muscle. The practitioner tenses the muscles of given body part and then moves the body part against the tension as if a heavy weight was being lifted. However, Dynamic Tension exercises are not merely isometrics
, since they call for movement. Instead, the method comprises a combination of exercises in three disciplines: isotonic
, isokinetic, and some exercises in the isometric discipline.
Proponents assert that it is nearly impossible to be injured during exercise using this method because one's own muscles provide the force and, as they tire, so the force used also decreases. Likewise, the benefits can continue beyond the more traditional exercise methods because as the practitioner grows stronger, the exercise becomes more intense.
"Dynamic Tension" is a registered trademark of Charles Atlas, Ltd.
and began to do numerous exercise routines. He became obsessed with strength. He said that one day he watched a tiger
stretching in the zoo
and asked himself "How does Mr. Tiger keep in physical condition? Did you ever see a tiger with a barbell
?" He concluded that lions and tigers became strong by pitting muscle against muscle. The validity of this story is questionable however and may be nothing more than an entertaining story to help sell his course. There were many other "isometric" courses available at the time and it wasn't until Atlas used the ad with the bully kicking sand in the weakling's face that the sales took off. Some other notable users of this method include Joe Dimaggio
, Max Baer
, Rocky Marciano
,Joe Louis
, Robert Ripley
and Alan Wells
.
Specifically, dynamic tension is a technique very commonly used within martial arts. This refers to the “dynamic tension” literally applied using a person’s movements. Tightening core muscles and applying dynamic tension allows a person to change the tempo of their movement. The reconstruction of such movements gives a person more power and speed. This especially becomes useful in performing or sparring. Taking a deep breath, and exhaling slowly while tightening the muscles, and sometimes even physically shaking the body part, portrays a stronger presence while performing. Following dynamic tension could be a series of quick movements to pick up the pace. Dynamic tension is a technique that is universal and could be used on any movement or any style.
to illustrate the benefits of competing priorities. People tend to behave in ways which will optimize their own rewards and recognition. If the business rewards the employee solely on one measure such as revenue
, the employee will be incented to make sales even when they are unprofitable. On the other hand, measuring solely on profit
ratios leads to cherry-picking of sales opportunities, lost volume and higher unit costs (because the fixed cost
s of production must be spread over fewer units). Any one key performance indicator can be manipulated. Rewarding employees based on both revenue and profit ratio is more complex but tends to lead to better alignment between the employees' incentives and the desired business results. Like the competing tensions of two arms pulling against each other, the two competing business priorities are said to be in dynamic tension with each other.
This principle was exemplified in the concept of the balanced scorecard
.
The phrase dynamic tension is a key concept used in The Empowerment Dynamic
which is used by executive, life, and leadership coaches to help people move out of the drama triangle
and into a choice-based and outcome-oriented worldview.
Charles Atlas
Charles Atlas, born Angelo Siciliano , was the developer of a bodybuilding method and its associated exercise program that was best known for a landmark advertising campaign featuring Atlas's name and likeness; it has been described as one of the longest-lasting and most memorable ad campaigns of all...
gave to the system of exercises that he first popularized in the 1920s.
Dynamic Tension is a self-resistance exercise method which pits muscle
Muscle
Muscle is a contractile tissue of animals and is derived from the mesodermal layer of embryonic germ cells. Muscle cells contain contractile filaments that move past each other and change the size of the cell. They are classified as skeletal, cardiac, or smooth muscles. Their function is to...
against muscle. The practitioner tenses the muscles of given body part and then moves the body part against the tension as if a heavy weight was being lifted. However, Dynamic Tension exercises are not merely isometrics
Isometric exercise
Isometric exercise or isometrics are a type of strength training in which the joint angle and muscle length do not change during contraction...
, since they call for movement. Instead, the method comprises a combination of exercises in three disciplines: isotonic
Isotonic
The term isotonic may refer to;*Isotonic for the term associated with muscle contraction*An isotone in nuclear physics*Sports drinks are sometimes designed in an isotonic way to assist athletes rehydrate while balancing electrolytes...
, isokinetic, and some exercises in the isometric discipline.
Proponents assert that it is nearly impossible to be injured during exercise using this method because one's own muscles provide the force and, as they tire, so the force used also decreases. Likewise, the benefits can continue beyond the more traditional exercise methods because as the practitioner grows stronger, the exercise becomes more intense.
"Dynamic Tension" is a registered trademark of Charles Atlas, Ltd.
History
After being bullied as a child, Charles Atlas joined the YMCAYMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
and began to do numerous exercise routines. He became obsessed with strength. He said that one day he watched a tiger
Tiger
The tiger is the largest cat species, reaching a total body length of up to and weighing up to . Their most recognizable feature is a pattern of dark vertical stripes on reddish-orange fur with lighter underparts...
stretching in the zoo
Zoo
A zoological garden, zoological park, menagerie, or zoo is a facility in which animals are confined within enclosures, displayed to the public, and in which they may also be bred....
and asked himself "How does Mr. Tiger keep in physical condition? Did you ever see a tiger with a barbell
Barbell
A barbell is a piece of exercise equipment used in weight training, weightlifting and powerlifting. Barbells range in length from to although bars above 7' in length are used primarily by powerlifters and aren't commonplace...
?" He concluded that lions and tigers became strong by pitting muscle against muscle. The validity of this story is questionable however and may be nothing more than an entertaining story to help sell his course. There were many other "isometric" courses available at the time and it wasn't until Atlas used the ad with the bully kicking sand in the weakling's face that the sales took off. Some other notable users of this method include Joe Dimaggio
Joe DiMaggio
Joseph Paul "Joe" DiMaggio , nicknamed "Joltin' Joe" and "The Yankee Clipper," was an American Major League Baseball center fielder who played his entire 13-year career for the New York Yankees. He is perhaps best known for his 56-game hitting streak , a record that still stands...
, Max Baer
Max Baer
Max Baer was an American boxer of the 1930s as well as a professional wrestler and referee, and had an occasional role on film or television. He was the brother of twice World Champion boxing contender Buddy Baer and father of actor Max Baer, Jr...
, Rocky Marciano
Rocky Marciano
Rocky Marciano , born Rocco Francis Marchegiano, was an American boxer and the heavyweight champion of the world from September 23, 1952, to April 27, 1956. Marciano is the only champion to hold the heavyweight title and go undefeated throughout his career. Marciano defended his title six times...
,Joe Louis
Joe Louis
Joseph Louis Barrow , better known as Joe Louis, was the world heavyweight boxing champion from 1937 to 1949. He is considered to be one of the greatest heavyweights of all time...
, Robert Ripley
Robert Ripley
Robert LeRoy Ripley was an American cartoonist, entrepreneur and amateur anthropologist, who created the world famous Ripley's Believe It or Not! newspaper panel series, radio show, and television show which feature odd 'facts' from around the world.Subjects covered in Ripley's cartoons and text...
and Alan Wells
Alan Wells
Alan Peter Wells is an English cricketer. He played for Sussex from 1981 to 1996, where he was captain from 1992 to 1996. He then played for Kent from 1997 to 2000...
.
Specifically, dynamic tension is a technique very commonly used within martial arts. This refers to the “dynamic tension” literally applied using a person’s movements. Tightening core muscles and applying dynamic tension allows a person to change the tempo of their movement. The reconstruction of such movements gives a person more power and speed. This especially becomes useful in performing or sparring. Taking a deep breath, and exhaling slowly while tightening the muscles, and sometimes even physically shaking the body part, portrays a stronger presence while performing. Following dynamic tension could be a series of quick movements to pick up the pace. Dynamic tension is a technique that is universal and could be used on any movement or any style.
Other uses
The phrase dynamic tension is also used in the business discipline of performance measurementPerformance Measurement
Performance measurement with a process is the complement to process execution. Based on measured performance, the feedback control loop may be closed. The metrics to assess performance is set according to a determined econometric model...
to illustrate the benefits of competing priorities. People tend to behave in ways which will optimize their own rewards and recognition. If the business rewards the employee solely on one measure such as revenue
Revenue
In business, revenue is income that a company receives from its normal business activities, usually from the sale of goods and services to customers. In many countries, such as the United Kingdom, revenue is referred to as turnover....
, the employee will be incented to make sales even when they are unprofitable. On the other hand, measuring solely on profit
Profit (accounting)
In accounting, profit can be considered to be the difference between the purchase price and the costs of bringing to market whatever it is that is accounted as an enterprise in terms of the component costs of delivered goods and/or services and any operating or other expenses.-Definition:There are...
ratios leads to cherry-picking of sales opportunities, lost volume and higher unit costs (because the fixed cost
Fixed cost
In economics, fixed costs are business expenses that are not dependent on the level of goods or services produced by the business. They tend to be time-related, such as salaries or rents being paid per month, and are often referred to as overhead costs...
s of production must be spread over fewer units). Any one key performance indicator can be manipulated. Rewarding employees based on both revenue and profit ratio is more complex but tends to lead to better alignment between the employees' incentives and the desired business results. Like the competing tensions of two arms pulling against each other, the two competing business priorities are said to be in dynamic tension with each other.
This principle was exemplified in the concept of the balanced scorecard
Balanced scorecard
The Balanced Scorecard is a strategic performance management tool - a semi-standard structured report, supported by proven design methods and automation tools, that can be used by managers to keep track of the execution of activities by the staff within their control and to monitor the...
.
The phrase dynamic tension is a key concept used in The Empowerment Dynamic
The empowerment dynamic
The Empowerment Dynamic stands as an alternative to The Drama Triangle. The drama triangle is a psychological and social model of human interaction in transactional analysis first described by Stephen Karpman in 1968...
which is used by executive, life, and leadership coaches to help people move out of the drama triangle
Karpman drama triangle
The drama triangle is a psychological and social model of human interaction in transactional analysis first described by Stephen Karpman, in his 1968 article Fairy Tales and Script Drama Analysis...
and into a choice-based and outcome-oriented worldview.