Christine Ruffolo

The one flaw in the Functional Range Conditioning system is its heavy use of acronyms. It has created a culture of separation, utilizing a language only understood within the context of the FRC group. Starting with CARs and developing into the new Kinstretch IsoMPs, there is no lack of subjective nomenclature. The system is kept secretive and mysterious, which translates into a lot of guesswork by a curious and seeking public.

PAILs and RAILs are training protocols designed to increase range of motion by combining strength and stretching. The intent is to get the brain to utilize as many motor units as possible to achieve a specific movement. ‘ILs’ stand for isometric loading (this is the strength part). The ‘As’ stand for angular, symbolizing the limitless angles in which they can be performed and reference to the closing or opening angle of the motion. The ‘P’ stands for progressive, or “long side” contraction, and the ‘R’ stands for regressive or “short side” contraction.

Here’s an example in expanding hip internal rotation, or the sleeper stretch:

#HipsDontLie:?? Hip Capsule – Sleeper Stretch. This is a basic hip mobility movement that targets the hip capsule through internal hip rotation. This has been one of my ‘goto’s’ lately in my movement practice has translated well over to my squat pattern, running gait cycle and has made my hip’s feel/work real nice ☺. As much as we want to move like the Dewey’s (@deweynielsen) & Hunter’s (@hunterfitness) of Instagram, it is very important to address the basics and make sure to not strive away from the basics. The basics set the foundation, and a strong foundation allows unlimited growth. ? 
Here I am demonstrating 3 variations of the Hip Sleeper stretch. 1⃣First variation is the hip pushing down into the ground. 2⃣Second variation, you can see that I am closing the angle and pushing my palm into my knee. 3⃣Third variation you are able to see, I am closing the angle even more with 2 hands on my shin as I press my knee into the ground. This mobilization of the hip capsule will speak volumes to your lower limb? If you have trouble getting the knee down, focus on this exercise is a must. For best results: a very important aspect is to add neurological thought into the location where you feel the sensation, what I mean by this is slowly ramp up a contraction into the location. Add more and more tension gradually as each second passes by. Try to keep the tension bottled up for as long as you can tolerate it (mentally & physically) ? #FunctionalRangeConditioning #FRCSystem #NeurologicalControl #ControlYourSelf #ConvinceTheCNS

A video posted by D.J. Heimbecker FRCms* CSCS (@danajohnflows) on Dec 7, 2015 at 7:30pm PST

Pushing the knee into the floor is an overcoming isometric, pressing against an immovable surface. Pulling the knee up against the palm of the hand is a yielding isometric, static work (at a particular angle) against resistance.

This Press-Pull-Press sequence enhances movement by focusing on tension at both sides of the joint. As the opening angle gets bigger the closing angle gets smaller, you get deeper into the hold or stretch. This video from the functional anatomy blog continues this train of thought more thoroughly:

To recap:

1. 2-minute hold in position one*

2. Contract deeper into the stretch at building degrees of tension for 20+ seconds

3. Contract the shorter angle, regressive tissue maximally for 20 seconds

4. Relax into new position and repeat if desired

*Skip the pre-emptive 2-min hold if the user is hypermobile. They have no problem getting into position, just creating controllable tension there.

In the world of rehabilitation, PAILs can take on a gentler, more coaxing role in tissue repair. Level 1 PAILs are low level contractions against resistance. Otherwise known as PNF , it is used to communicate to damaged ligaments and tendons where and in what direction new cells should be laid down. Level 2 PAILs are used to strengthen the newly acquired range and create joint disassociation. These consist of the 2-minute stretch and ramping contraction deeper into the stretch. Level 3 PAILs are the 4-step process listed above. These are used for asymptomatic people looking for rapid improvements in range of motion. RAILs are the defining feature, teaching the regressive tissue to function short.

From PAILs and RAILs, we can then shift into lift-offs and passive holds to challenge end range control. Manipulating hovers, heights, and body orientations are all a means to explore.

TO REVIEW:

• PAILs and RAILs are the meat and potatoes of the FRC system
• PAILs have three levels of intensity and purpose
• RAILs correspond to the highest level of PAILs, refer to the short-sided tissue, and is directed opposite of intended movement
• Contractions should reach near maximal effort, and should be gradually increased at 10% increments
• Once a new range has been achieved, the goal is to relax into it as much as possible
• PAILs and RAILs serve as the gateway to end range control