Body mobility underpins Crows captain’s soaring performance
Jordan Dawson is enjoying a stellar period in his game. And the Crows best and most consistent player has a not so secret weapon – a full body movement training program.
Crows captain Jordan Dawson reckons he is at the top of his game – in part, thanks to a movement training program that is available to everyone, not just elite athletes.
“Probably the last couple years, physically and mentally, I feel like I’m at my peak, and definitely at the moment, I’m feeling extremely confident in what I’m doing,” Dawson said.
“That comes off the back of the way I train, but also focusing on things that benefit me on and off-field.”
Since mid-2023, he has been using MOTUM Mobility Training, a physiotherapist-developed program that is revolutionary in its approach to improving mobility and strength.
Dawson said halfway through the 12-week program, he noticed improvements in his movement, and by the time he had finished it and moved onto one-on-one classes with MOTUM Movement founder Matthew Heavyside, these were “significant”.
“I really wanted to focus on hip and lower back mobility because I had a bit of pain there,” Dawson said. “And since then I’ve been pretty much pain free and able to move a lot freer in those areas as well.”
Physiotherapist Matt Heavyside said the movement classes are designed to develop a good balance between flexibility and strength and eliminate weakness, tight areas, limitations and restrictions in the body, even in the absence of injury or pain.
“We’re born with almost the perfect range of motion as humans, and if we look back to being toddlers…it’s almost the perfect picture of how our human body was designed to move,” Heavyside said.
“MOTUM brings back those movements we used, like squatting on the ground, crawling, rolling, exploring, getting in different positions – and it creates an environment where we can start to become more flexible, improve joint health and gain core strength in very dynamic ways.”
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In the newly opened MOTUM Studio in Highgate, the typical session reflects this playfulness, starting with groundwork and moves like rolling from the tummy to the back, and progressing to a full body weight hang from rings attached to the ceiling.
Heavyside said while there is some debate over what causes our bodies to seize up as we age, prolonged sitting on chairs and our inclination to stop playing are factors.
“When we used the monkey bars or were active in the playground, we were constantly moving and evolving,” he said.
“As soon as we get to school, we have sports and exercise, but that freedom of playing, swinging, climbing and adventuring start to go – and so does our flexibility and core strength.”
He said people need to think about health differently as “the research is telling us we’re in big trouble from our physical health”.
“What we know about longevity, for example, is that if you can get on and off the floor without using your hands, you’re going to live longer.
“If you have the grip strength in your hands to hold your body weight, you’re also going to live longer.
“This is what the evidence shows about these lifestyle factors.”
MOTUM Longevity classes include movements to develop strong grip strength, get onto or off the ground with ease and challenge participants’ balance, flexibility and coordination.
According to the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry, both knee and hip procedures have steadily risen since 2001.
“We have more Pilates classes, more yoga studios, more gym memberships than ever before, but something’s not connecting,” said Heavyside.
MOTUM brings together elements of all of them into a unique series of movement and core strength programs, available online and in the new MOTUM Studio in Highgate.
Heavyside said the different classes attracted people from in their 20s to those in their 70s, with their goals ranging from maintaining or regaining the childlike movement, to making everyday movement less difficult.
“For people focusing on longevity and wondering when to start, the answer is, just the sooner, the better,” he said.
“Our mission really is to create healthy, happy humans for life.”
Crows players Jordan Dawson, Reilly O’Brien and Billy Dowling with Matt Heavyside. Photo: Pierce Stephens
The MOTUM programs work with all levels of abilities, from the beginner level where people are finding it hard to move, up to that of elite athletes, like members of the Adelaide Crows AFL teams.
Anne Hatchard, Billy Dowling, Reilly O’Brien and Brodie Smith have all used it to improve their on-field movements.
Crows captain Dawson’s belief in the programs has seen him come on as an ambassador for MOTUM Movement.
“Doing movements that I know work for me and the routine that I’ve mapped out with Matt – especially in-season when I’m starting to get sore and a bit banged up – has been massive for my consistency in feeling good and being able to play well,” Dawson said.
Being able to continue with MOTUM while injured has also been a bonus.
“Last year, I had a few issues with my feet and calf, so being able to get some movement in while working around those injuries has been a real key to staying on top of other sore spots I’ve had in the past.”
Dawson said “feeling in sync” with his body was important to his on-field performance, and he expected MOTUM to also be a part of his life when he eventually retires from playing AFL.
“When you get a bit sore in-season and throughout pre-season, the body starts to get banged up a bit,” he said.
“As I get older, I can only imagine [it will] take a bit longer to get going.
“It’s important for me that I stay on top of things and prevent [any issues] that might come in terms of ageing and back and hip soreness post-footy.”
For the 28-year-old, who is being talked about as a contender for the 2025 Brownlow Medal, that day will likely be many years away.
Learn more about the MOTUM full body movement training programs here.
