This critical review considers the epistemological and historical background of the theoretical construct of motor learning for a more differentiated understanding. More than simply reflecting critically on the models that are used to solve problems—whether they are applied in therapy, physical education, or training practice—this review seeks to respond constructively to the recent discussion caused by the replication crisis in life sciences. To this end, an in-depth review of contemporary motor learning approaches is provided, with a pragmatism-oriented clarification of the researcher’s intentions on fundamentals (what?), subjects (for whom?), time intervals (when?), and purpose (for what?). The complexity in which the processes of movement acquisition, learning, and refinement take place removes their predictable and linear character and therefore, from an applied point of view, invites a great deal of caution when trying to make generalization claims. Particularly when we attempt to understand and study these phenomena in unpredictable and dynamic contexts, it is recommended that scientists and practitioners seek to better understand the central role that the individual and their situatedness plays in the system. In this way, we will be closer to making a meaningful and authentic contribution to the advancement of knowledge, and not merely for the sake of renaming inventions.

Current trends in sports monitoring are characterized by the massive collection of tech-based biomechanical, physiological and performance data, integrated through mathematical algorithms. However, the application of algorithms, predicated on mechanistic assumptions of how athletes operate, cannot capture, assess and adequately promote athletes’ health and performance. The objective of this paper is to reorient the current integrative proposals of sports monitoring by re-conceptualizing athletes as complex adaptive systems (CAS). CAS contain higher-order perceptual units that provide continuous and multilevel integrated information about performer–environment interactions. Such integrative properties offer exceptional possibilities of subjective monitoring for outperforming any objective monitoring system. Future research should investigate how to enhance this human potential to contribute further to athletes’ health and performance. This line of argument is not intended to advocate for the elimination of objective assessments, but to highlight the integrative possibilities of subjective monitoring.

Pain and injury are common problems among athletes and recreational powerlifters who perform squats, bench presses and deadlifts. Data suggests that 43.3% of powerlifters experience pain in the course of their workout session. However, little is known with regards to the use of interventions including neurodynamic mobilization and foam rolling for improving the experience of pain among powerlifters. Five female and nine male powerlifters (M age27.14, SD=2.48), with no musculoskeletal injuries in the past 6 months were tested into two groups: 1) foam rolling group (FRG; n=7) and, 2) neurodynamic mobilization group (NMG; n=7). Interventions lasted a total of four weeks for both FRG and NMG. Relative to the subjects in FRG, subjects in NMG reported less pain following the completion of interventions. Regular foam rolling tends to reduce the intensity of moderate pain. However, in contrast to foam rolling, neurodynamic mobilization results in significantly less perception of pain.

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