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Spanning the Distance We are a species of bridge builders. Since time out of mind, humans have engineered structures to surmount obstacles, attempting to thwart the physical forces and natural phenomena that perpetually threaten to destroy our bridges....our visions....our dreams. Bridges hold a near and dear place to my heart. I will never forget excitedly competing in a 7th grade bridge building contest - Constructing a to-scale, bendy straw and popsicle stick suspension bridge rendered after the Verrazano. Fond memories linger of sitting around Grandpa’s kitchen table and his workbench, sketching bridges and other structures - learning algebra from the man who build the thing I tried so hard to re-create in middle school. While I did not become a civil engineer following in the footsteps of my grandfather and a man I will forever idol, I am indeed a bridge builder. Through preventative and corrective exercises, improved kinesthesia, and the self-confidence gained through autonomous movement, exercise specialists build bridges – bridges between one’s current state and future goal; paths representing the process of living and doing experienced; the connector between the physical here and the ethereal now. The physical forces attempting to thwart individuals’ successful bridge construction differ on a case-to-case basis, as do the bridge types chosen to span the gap of goal completion. First up, let's get right down to the basics - the fundamental principles of bridge engineering and different types of bridges. BATS and the Basics A force in physics relates to an external cause responsible for any change of a physical system. Tension, compression, torsion, resonance, and shear forces all affect bridge structures. A fine balance amongst these forces results in a durable bridge structure. Dissipation and transfer allow for force attenuation and a balanced bridge state. Some designs allow forces to be spread out evenly over a greater area, while others move stress from an area of weakness to an area of strength. The main difference amongst bridge types is span potential. BATS – not the furry creatures but beams, arches, trusses, suspension – attenuate and balance forces according to each projects’ necessities. Inadequate form for a given function – and an unbalanced state – can lead to buckling, snapping, and a fallen bridge. But that’s enough about bridges... Connecting the Blocks Force, too, pertains to the ideas of energy, power, and intensity as they relate to the ever-important ideas of physical, psychological, and spiritual strength. Through preventative and corrective exercises, improved kinesthesia, and the self-confidence gained through autonomous movement, exercise specialists build bridges – bridges between one’s current state and future goal; paths representing the process of living and doing experienced; the connector between the physical here and the ethereal now. The physical forces attempting to thwart individuals’ successful bridge construction differ on a case-to-case basis, as do the bridge types chosen to span the gap of goal completion. Like torsion, resonance, and shear forces, ever day obstacles must operate cooperatively for success. Limits and boundaries – pushing oneself to think and work outside of one’s comfort zone in an effort to grow; Complexity and simplicity – moving as complex as human and then as simple as possible; and a multitude of other forces must align to achieve homeostasis and diminish entropy. Bridges between one’s present state and future goals can be built wherein the physical here and the ethereal now reach optimal flow. Time is always under tension...Conquer your fears. The most rewarding things in my life have scared the crap out of me. What bridges are you building? Author: Julia Anthony
B.S. Exercise Specialist, CSCS, NASM CPT |
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