Tip of the Week: Repetition + Challenge = Improvement

written by Ela Lewis


Research shows that Repetition + Challenge = Improvement:

In order to continue to make progress after a neurological injury it is important to practice things that mean something to you. These tasks need to be practiced over and over and over again and as they get easier you should challenge yourself more. You can challenge yourself more by performing the task faster, longer or by adding resistance or weight to the task.

Let’s use drinking your favorite beverage as an example. Maybe at first you need to use a plastic, water bottle with only a little bit of beverage. You have to pry your hand open to get the bottle into your hand and you need someone to help you with 50 percent of the motion to get it to your mouth.

That is ok! Practice it. Practice it over and over and over.

I am suggesting a 100 reps if you can do it. 100 meaningful( you are working) reps!
Then when you can do it at that stage challenge your self a bit. First, have the person helping you back off and do more of the movement yourself.
You’ve mastered that, great! Next, add a little weight by adding more drink to your glass.

Got that? Awesome!

Now, change to a regular glass, start with a plastic one first and move to a glass. Want to make the changes even better, you can! After you practice with the glass add what is called mental practice. Imagine yourself doing the drinking task again and again and again. Think about doing it 100 times. This method can be applied to any task.

Ready, set, go! Get Better! Live Better!