Matt Lafleur, who lives in Louisiana, was diagnosed with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) in 1994 at age 9. He practices an adaptive deadbug exercise with Coach Damon to build core strength, motor control, and stability.
Disclaimer: The information in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or other trained medical professional before beginning any new exercise program to ensure it is safe and appropriate for you.
Transcript
What’s up, guys? Coach Damon here with my guy Matt. We’ve got another rare moves exercise for y’all. This is a very, very high-value core exercise. It’s called the deadbug.
Not only is it going to work our hip flexors, our lower abs, our upper abs, but it’s going to bring a lot of motor control in — because you’ve got to use all four limbs at the same time and stabilize them in free space. Very, very good exercise.
“You ready, Matt? We’re gonna get both arms up and both knees up. We’re going to hold them — hence the word deadbug. Everything up. Ready and go. Hands to the sky. Knees up. There you go. Go. Yep, yep, yep. I want to see those feet get off the floor. Knees to the chest. There you go. Hold that, hold that, hold it. That’s it.”
“I’m gonna let — yeah — so I’m gonna help you stabilize. Get that right knee up again. Yes. Now hold that, man. I’m letting you go. Oh, get it up higher. Get it up higher. Hold. Yes. OK, take a break. Nice job.”
“Go do it again. That’s so great, man. I can feel — I can see — your whole core engaging. We’ll do it again. Ready and go. Hands to the sky. Yep. Stabilize everything in free space. That’s it. Hold it. Hold. I’m letting you go. Back — get it back up. Squeeze. Lower abs — here, here. Knees to the chest. That’s it. Both knees to the chest. There you go. There you go. Brain, brain — knees to the chest.”
“One more. Go. Yeah. Nice work, Matt.”
