Definition
Low-intensity movements performed before training to 'wake up' specific muscles and improve motor patterns. They're the warmup's warmup, because apparently getting ready to get ready is now a necessary training component.
Example Usage
Twenty minutes of glute activation exercises later, I finally started my actual workout, which makes you wonder if the activation work was the real training all along.
Origin
Emerged from physical therapy and corrective exercise in the early 2000s
Fun Fact
EMG studies show activation exercises can increase muscle recruitment by 20-30% during subsequent work, making them less broscience than their reputation suggests.
Source: Physical therapy and corrective exercise terminology
Related Terms
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