Movnat Evidence

1. The Roots of “Méthode Naturelle”

Author: Erwan Le Corre

In this article, Erwan outlines the historical evolution of Georges Hébert’s Méthode Naturelle, correcting myths and re-centering its intellectual lineage. He connects Hébert to precursors like Francisco Amoros and Johann Pestalozzi, and emphasizes Hébert’s genius in synthesizing inspiration into a coherent physical and moral education system. Erwan explains how MovNat continues that trajectory, not by mimicking the past, but by adapting timeless principles to modern needs. This piece establishes the philosophical continuity between ancient tradition and present-day relevance.

Citation:
Le Corre, E. (2009, May 27). The roots of “Méthode Naturelle”. MovNat Journal.

2. The Practice of Natural Movement

Author: Erwan Le Corre

This book is the modern philosophical foundation of MovNat. Erwan introduces readers to the principles of practical movement, environmental adaptability, and being “strong to be useful.” He frames physical capability as a moral and societal obligation, not just a personal pursuit. Drawing on history, evolutionary biology, and personal experience, Erwan makes a compelling case for reclaiming natural movement in everyday life — not to idealize the past, but to fully engage with the present and prepare for real-world challenges.

Citation:
Le Corre, E. (2019). The practice of natural movement: Reclaim power, health, and freedom. Victory Belt Publishing.

3. L’éducation physique virile et morale par la Méthode Naturelle

Author: Georges Hébert

This is the cornerstone of Hébert’s Natural Method — a systematic physical and moral education program developed in early 20th-century France. Hébert presents 10 categories of natural movement, underlining their functional purpose in real-life survival and service. His system is not aesthetic or sport-specific but aimed at creating strong, resilient citizens. His motto “Être fort pour être utile” (“Be strong to be useful”) remains central to MovNat’s philosophy. The work is both a manual and a moral framework.

Citation:
Hébert, G. (1912). L’éducation physique virile et morale par la Méthode Naturelle. Vuibert et Nony.

4. Manuel d’éducation physique, gymnastique et morale

Author: Francisco Amoros

A century before Hébert, Francisco Amoros laid the pedagogical foundation of structured physical education in France. His manual introduced progressive training, civilian and military instruction, and the integration of moral education with physical rigor. Amoros advocated for scalable programs suitable for both elite and everyday populations. His influence is explicitly acknowledged by Hébert, and his facility design and curriculum bear striking resemblance to later MovNat principles of accessibility, utility, and naturalism.

Citation:
Amoros, F. (1830). Manuel d’éducation physique, gymnastique et morale. Librairie Militaire.

5. Natural Born Heroes

Author: Christopher McDougall

While not a MovNat text, this book popularized the principles of practical, adaptable movement in mainstream culture. McDougall explores WWII resistance fighters in Crete who survived through natural terrain traversal, strength, and endurance. He weaves in Hébert’s influence, natural movement, and the lost art of heroism through physical competence. MovNat is featured prominently as a living expression of those ideas, validating the real-world relevance of natural movement in both history and present-day performance.

Citation:
McDougall, C. (2015). Natural born heroes: Mastering the lost secrets of strength and endurance. Alfred A. Knopf.

1. Mohr et al. (2023) – “Human Movement and Motor Control in the Natural Environment”

Key Support for MovNat:
This editorial outlines how laboratory-based rehabilitation models often lack ecological validity due to oversimplified testing conditions. The authors argue for real-world assessments and interventions that reflect the full complexity of human movement — including changing environments, surface variability, and goal-directed action. MovNat directly aligns with this premise by training movement competence in natural, dynamic, and unpredictable settings.

It also discusses the importance of motor versatility, modular control strategies, and adaptive stability, which are central to MovNat’s design — especially in carrying, landing, and balance tasks. The article underscores that robust rehabilitation outcomes are achieved when interventions are context-rich, mimicking the challenges of life rather than abstract lab tasks.

“Motor learning interventions are likely most effective when they target all perceptuo-motor integration modalities of the movement system needed to perform the task of interest.”
— Mohr et al., 2023

APA Citation:
Mohr, M., Federolf, P., Pepping, G.-J., Stein, T., van Andel, S., & Weir, G. (2023). Editorial: Human movement and motor control in the natural environment. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 11, 1210173.

2. Liebl et al. (2022) – “Understanding Balance Recovery Through Movement Variability”

Key Support for MovNat:
This paper investigates balance recovery strategies and movement variability under reactive conditions, such as slips and perturbations. The findings support the principle that variability isn’t noise — it’s a protective adaptation mechanism. In this framework, the ability to produce diverse, well-controlled movement patterns is a hallmark of functional resilience.

MovNat’s ground movement and balance challenges naturally reinforce these adaptations. Instead of drilling rigid, repeatable motions, MovNat encourages fluid, self-organizing motor behavior, which aligns with the paper’s conclusions on optimizing reactive control through varied exposure.

“More movement variability in the frontal plane was associated with successful recovery outcomes.”
— Liebl et al., 2022

APA Citation:
Liebl, M. P., Hulsbosch, M., Mademli, L., & Arampatzis, A. (2022). Understanding balance recovery through movement variability. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 14, 553.

3. Park et al. (2023) – “Motor Learning After Stroke: Temporal Dynamics and Learning Mechanism Sensitivity”

Key Support for MovNat:
This study highlights that post-stroke recovery is most effective during an early plasticity window. The authors recommend intense, variable, and meaningful motor training that mimics real-life demands. MovNat’s grounded, scalable progressions (e.g., crawling, balancing, carrying) offer safe yet complex opportunities to apply this recommendation, particularly in early rehab phases.

It also addresses the importance of training mechanisms that integrate perception and action — a hallmark of MovNat’s ecological design.

“Task-specific training under naturalistic contexts may optimize retention by engaging more durable learning mechanisms.”
— Park et al., 2023

APA Citation:
Park, J. M., Schaefer, S. Y., Zimnik, A. J., & Krakauer, J. W. (2023). Motor learning after stroke: Temporal dynamics and learning mechanism sensitivity. bioRxiv. https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.01.25.525408

4. Taye et al. (2024) – “A Review of the Evolution and Advancements of Neurological Physical Therapy”

Key Support for MovNat:
This review provides a sweeping overview of the trends in neurological rehabilitation and supports the use of dynamic, full-body, and task-driven training for neuroplasticity. The authors critique isolated machine-based therapy and emphasize the need for functional, whole-system interventions — a perfect match for MovNat’s curriculum. Natural movement is presented as a solution to bridge the clinical and real-world performance gap.

“Rehabilitation should mimic real-life scenarios in order to restore both motor patterns and adaptive capacities.”
— Taye et al., 2024

APA Citation:
Taye, W. A. (2024). A review of the evolution and advancements of neurological physical therapy. Journal of Biomedical and Sustainable Healthcare Applications, 4(1), 63–71.

5. Liebl et al. (2019) – “Sensorimotor Function and Motor Learning in Orthopedic Rehabilitation”

Key Support for MovNat:
This paper discusses how orthopedic rehab success depends not only on tissue healing but also on retraining sensorimotor control, especially in joint-stabilizing movements like landing, balancing, and squatting. MovNat’s scalable drills expose practitioners to complex environments and challenge joint proprioception in dynamic, real-world patterns — accelerating neuromuscular reeducation.

“Motor control deficits post-injury are best addressed through context-relevant, sensorimotor-rich training environments.”
— Liebl et al., 2019

APA Citation:
Liebl, M. P., et al. (2019). Sensorimotor function and motor learning in orthopedic rehabilitation. Sports Medicine, 49(8), 1259–1272.

1. Gokeler et al. (2019) – “Principles of Motor Learning to Support Neuroplasticity After ACL Injury”

Key Support for MovNat:
This comprehensive review presents a strong case for incorporating motor learning principles—such as external focus, implicit learning, and contextual interference—into rehabilitation programs to support neuroplasticity and long-term motor control. These principles are especially relevant for fall prevention, where rigid, repetitive routines fail to prepare individuals for the unpredictable nature of real-world movement.

The paper recommends using movement strategies that promote individual motor solutions under variable environmental constraints—exactly what MovNat provides through task-based, natural movement in changing settings. The authors argue that standard rehab protocols lack sensory integration and environmental challenge—elements central to MovNat’s programming.

“Current rehabilitation programs may not be optimally effective… Motor learning to (re-)acquire motor skills and neuroplastic capacities are not sufficiently incorporated… These principles may optimize future rehabilitation to reduce second injury risk.”
— Gokeler et al., 2019

APA Citation:
Gokeler, A., Neuhaus, D., Benjaminse, A., Grooms, D. R., & Baumeister, J. (2019). Principles of motor learning to support neuroplasticity after ACL injury: Implications for optimizing performance and reducing risk of second ACL injury. Sports Medicine, 49(6), 853–865.

2. Mohr et al. (2023) – “Human Movement and Motor Control in the Natural Environment”

Key Support for MovNat:
This editorial champions ecologically valid movement training, highlighting how lab-based rehab settings limit adaptation and fall short in preparing individuals for real-world movement. The authors stress the importance of training in natural environments with surface variability and reactive challenges—core to the MovNat system.

It also supports the concept of motor versatility and adaptive stability, which are crucial for fall prevention, especially in older adults or clinical populations.

“Motor learning interventions are likely most effective when they target all perceptuo-motor integration modalities of the movement system.”
— Mohr et al., 2023

APA Citation:
Mohr, M., Federolf, P., Pepping, G.-J., Stein, T., van Andel, S., & Weir, G. (2023). Editorial: Human movement and motor control in the natural environment. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 11, 1210173.

3. Horak & Mancini (2013) – “Objective Biomarkers of Balance and Gait for Parkinson’s Disease Using Wearable Sensors”

Key Support for MovNat:
Although focused on Parkinson’s Disease, this article identifies gait variability and balance deficits as primary predictors of fall risk. It underscores the need for interventions that challenge postural control under changing conditions—supporting the MovNat principle of adaptability across unpredictable environments.

The use of wearable sensors aligns with MovNat’s philosophy of tracking functional, real-world capability, not just isolated performance metrics.

APA Citation:
Horak, F. B., & Mancini, M. (2013). Objective biomarkers of balance and gait for Parkinson’s disease using wearable sensors. Movement Disorders, 28(11), 1544–1551.

4. Grooms et al. (2015) – “Neuroplasticity Associated with ACL Reconstruction”

Key Support for MovNat:
This paper supports fall prevention by demonstrating how injury or surgery can lead to neural reorganization that impairs motor control. Recovery must include re-challenging the brain and nervous system through dynamic, full-body movement tasks that stimulate multisensory integration.

MovNat’s varied locomotion, ground work, and balance drills provide the kind of sensorimotor stimulation shown to promote reorganization and restore safe movement capacity.

APA Citation:
Grooms, D. R., Page, S. J., Nichols-Larsen, D. S., Chaudhari, A. M., White, S. E., & Onate, J. A. (2015). Neuroplasticity associated with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 45(10), 864–870.

5. Pesce et al. (2016) – “Deliberate Play and Neurocognitive Development”

Key Support for MovNat:
This article argues for the cognitive and neurological benefits of complex, play-based movement early in life—a foundation that builds motor flexibility and brain adaptability, both of which help prevent falls later in life. MovNat’s playful, curiosity-driven movement challenges mirror the kind of training advocated here: diverse, exploratory, and progressively demanding.

APA Citation:
Pesce, C., Croce, R., Ben-Soussan, T., Vazou, S., McCullick, B., & Tomporowski, P. (2016). Deliberate play and neurocognitive development: A review. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 22, 266–273.

6. Ortiz-Molina et al. (2025) – “Evaluating the Effectiveness of an Exercise Program Based on the Adapted Utilitarian Judo Program by Analyzing Fall Competence in Older Adults”

Key Support for MovNat:

This study provides compelling evidence that structured training in falling techniques significantly improves both self-efficacy and fall competence in older adults. Participants in the intervention group practiced backward and lateral falling over 12 sessions using a progressive, skill-based methodology. The training led to statistically significant improvements across all fall tasks and confidence measures, using the validated Strömqvist Bååthe Fall Competence Test.

Although MovNat is not a martial arts program, its inclusion of backward, lateral, and forward falling, as well as rolling techniques, closely mirrors many principles seen in judo-based fall training. MovNat’s progressive, real-world approach to teaching ground interaction and impact management is directly aligned with the study’s conclusion: that movement competence and psychological readiness are critical for fall prevention and quality of life in aging populations.

This research reinforces the need for proactive, skill-based fall training — rather than simply reactive balance interventions — and validates MovNat’s inclusion of impact navigation, safe landing, and floor transitions as essential elements in both rehabilitation and preventative care.

“These programs contribute to improved motor self-confidence (self-efficacy) and falling competence, that can be an important resource for older individuals to remain independent and physically empowered.”
— Ortiz-Molina et al., 2025

1. Variability of Practice & Cognitive-Motor Development

Citation:
Pesce, C., Croce, R., Ben-Soussan, T. D., Vazou, S., McCullick, B., Tomporowski, P. D., & Horvat, M. (2016). Variability of practice as an interface between motor and cognitive development. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1080/1612197X.2016.1223421

Summary:
This article demonstrates how motor variability and exploration support both motor learning and executive function development, particularly in children. It explains the importance of “repetition without repetition”—a core MovNat principle—in which learners face contextual variations and changing task demands that drive adaptability and deeper skill acquisition. The ecological approach mirrors MovNat’s belief in solving movement problems rather than memorizing routines.

2. Embodied Learning & Physical Literacy

Citation:
Di Tore, P. A., Schiavo, R., & Raiola, G. (2021). Physical literacy in the design of motor activity for children: The role of movement in the development of personal identity. Formazione & Insegnamento, 19(3), 142–152.

Summary:
This article emphasizes the idea that movement is not merely physical—it plays a central role in the formation of identity, self-regulation, and autonomy in children. This aligns directly with MovNat’s “Be strong to be useful” mantra, emphasizing not just fitness, but character-building and adaptability through movement. It also promotes diverse movement patterns over repetition, supporting MovNat’s approach to lifelong development.

3. Embodied Cognition and Skill Acquisition

Citation:
Glenberg, A. M., Witt, J. K., & Metcalfe, J. (2013). From the revolution to embodiment: 25 years of cognitive psychology. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 8(5), 573–585.

Summary:
This review articulates the embodied cognition framework, showing that perception, movement, and cognition are inseparable. This theoretical model is foundational to MovNat’s practice of learning through doing, where the brain is shaped not by abstract drills but by interacting with the real world. MovNat’s use of natural, task-based environments echoes the view that cognition emerges through interaction.

4. Movement and Contextual Learning

Citation:
Orth, D., van der Kamp, J., Memmert, D., & Savelsbergh, G. J. P. (2017). Creative motor actions as emerging from movement variability. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 1903. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01903

Summary:
This article outlines how movement variability fosters creative motor solutions, particularly under dynamic and uncertain environmental conditions. MovNat emphasizes real-time adaptability in unpredictable contexts (e.g., tree climbing, vaulting), which mirrors the concept of creative affordances highlighted here. The research supports designing training that enhances not just performance, but creative, adaptive behavior—a key MovNat outcome.

5. Neurobiological Mechanisms & Exercise Benefits

Citation:
Hillman, C. H., Pontifex, M. B., Raine, L. B., Castelli, D. M., Hall, E. E., & Kramer, A. F. (2009). The effect of acute treadmill walking on cognitive control and academic achievement in preadolescent children. Neuroscience, 159(3), 1044–1054.

Summary:
This study shows that physical movement enhances executive function and attention, particularly in young children. These benefits are most pronounced when the movement is engaging and cognitively stimulating—not rote or overly structured. This reinforces MovNat’s use of skill-driven, whole-body movement tasks that require constant adjustment and awareness, leading to neurological and behavioral enhancement.

1. Dischiavi et al. (2018) – “Biotensegrity and Myofascial Chains: A Global Approach to an Integrated Kinetic Chain”

Key Support for MovNat:

This paper presents a paradigm-shifting model of human movement grounded in biotensegrity—a concept that describes the body as an integrated, tension-based system rather than a stack of levers. The authors argue that most traditional rehab and movement science operates from a reductionist lens, isolating muscles and joints. However, true human movement is complex, interconnected, and nonlinear. They propose a holistic systems model built around polyarticular myofascial chains, where force and motion are transmitted through fascial and muscular networks spanning the body.

This theory directly supports MovNat’s design philosophy. MovNat emphasizes whole-body movement over isolated muscle work, teaches joint control through chains (not co-contractions), and promotes elastic storage and eccentric strength through full ranges of motion—exactly the kind of qualities advocated in this paper. Importantly, the authors also highlight the sensorimotor richness and proprioceptive density of myofascial chains, providing a strong theoretical bridge between biotensegrity, movement variability, and motor learning—hallmarks of natural movement.

In terms of application, the authors advocate training strategies that emphasize three-dimensional movement, dynamic trunk and pelvic coordination, end-range control, and task-specific interventions—core features of MovNat practice sessions. This model offers a comprehensive biomechanical and neurological justification for why MovNat-style movement could improve resilience, reduce injury risk, and enhance functional rehabilitation outcomes.

“Human movement may be better understood using a holistic philosophy… The design of a biotensegrity system suggests that when human movement occurs, the entire musculoskeletal system constantly adjusts, causing global patterns to occur.”
— Dischiavi et al., 2018

APA Citation:
Dischiavi, S. L., Wright, A. A., Hegedus, E. J., & Bleakley, C. M. (2018). Biotensegrity and myofascial chains: A global approach to an integrated kinetic chain. Medical Hypotheses, 110, 90–96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2017.11.008

2. Bordoni & Myers (2020) – “A Review of the Theoretical Fascial Models: Biotensegrity, Fascintegrity, and Myofascial Chains”

Key Support for MovNat:

This review traces the conceptual evolution of fascia from passive tissue to an active regulatory network, focusing on three major models: biotensegrity, fascintegrity, and myofascial chains. The authors emphasize that fascia is not merely connective tissue but a critical medium for sensory input, postural control, and load distribution. Importantly, they stress that the body’s behavior under load is best explained by tensegrity principles—where tension and compression are balanced across the entire structure, allowing for efficiency, resilience, and responsiveness.

MovNat aligns closely with this framework. Natural movement patterns like crawling, swinging, and balancing are inherently tensegrity-driven: the body dynamically reconfigures tension through myofascial chains in response to unpredictable environments. Rather than relying on rigid structure or isolated muscle effort, MovNat trains adaptability and real-time shape change—qualities central to the fascial system’s function.

The paper also highlights the role of fascia in sensory perception, noting its high density of mechanoreceptors and proprioceptors. This underscores the sensory richness of MovNat training, where tactile contact with varied surfaces (e.g., wood, stone, earth) fosters neuromuscular refinement through bottom-up feedback. From both a structural and sensory lens, this article provides robust theoretical backing for the type of training MovNat promotes: system-wide, adaptable, sensory-integrated, and holistic.

“The fascial continuum is intimately linked to the mechanometabolic environment and the organism’s psychophysical responses… It is a system that adapts, informs, and transforms.”
— Bordoni & Myers, 2020

APA Citation:
Bordoni, B., & Myers, T. W. (2020). A review of the theoretical fascial models: Biotensegrity, fascintegrity, and myofascial chains. Cureus, 12(2), e7092. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.7092

3. Ingber (2008) – “Tensegrity and Mechanotransduction”

Key Support for MovNat:

In this foundational piece, Dr. Donald Ingber—who introduced biotensegrity to cell biology—explores how the same principles scale up to explain human biomechanics. He describes the body as a self-stabilizing tensegrity structure, where tension elements (muscles, fascia) and compression elements (bones) distribute forces evenly and efficiently across the system. Importantly, he emphasizes mechanotransduction: the process by which mechanical stress is converted into cellular and genetic responses.

For MovNat, this is vital. It means that movement quality and environmental interaction don’t just affect muscles—they shape tissue health at a cellular level. Landing strategies, crawling, or hanging on an uneven surface doesn’t merely train “strength”; it reconfigures tissue architecture and neurological patterns via mechanotransductive signaling. Ingber’s work provides a biological rationale for why real-world, load-bearing, multi-planar movement—the kind emphasized in MovNat—is far more beneficial for tissue adaptation than static or machine-based training.

Furthermore, Ingber’s description of tensegrity systems explains why postural control, movement variability, and adaptability must be trained as an integrated whole. Isolated corrective exercise misses the mark if it fails to engage the system-wide network that tensegrity governs.

“Mechanical forces applied at the cell surface are distributed through the cytoskeleton to nuclei and other distant sites within the cell. In the same way, tension applied to a body part is distributed through the body’s entire structure.”
— Ingber, 2008

APA Citation:
Ingber, D. E. (2008). Tensegrity and mechanotransduction. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 12(3), 198–200. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2008.01.071

4. Scarr (2014) – Biotensegrity: The Structural Basis of Life

Key Support for MovNat:

Scarr’s book offers one of the most comprehensive explorations of biotensegrity as a framework for understanding human movement, posture, and adaptation. He challenges the traditional lever-based view of biomechanics and reframes the body as a continuous tension system where shape, force, and stability emerge through distributed tension—not rigid structure. This model supports the idea that efficient human movement comes from dynamic whole-body coordination, not isolated muscle action.

MovNat’s philosophy of fluid, adaptive, and context-responsive movement mirrors this framework. Rather than training parts in isolation, MovNat builds functional strength and control through system-wide tensioning strategies—like bracing in carries, elastic recoil in crawling, or rebound absorption in landings. These actions express the same tensegrity behavior that Scarr describes: responsiveness, adaptability, and low-cost structural support.

Scarr also explores how biotensegrity principles scale from cellular networks to large anatomical systems. This affirms MovNat’s claim that real-world movement practice has far-reaching implications—not just for performance but for structural health, pain reduction, and tissue resilience.

“Biotensegrity is not just a structural theory; it is a process—an ongoing negotiation of forces and tensions that sustains and shapes life.”
— Scarr, 2014

APA Citation:
Scarr, G. (2014). Biotensegrity: The structural basis of life. Handspring Publishing.

1. Ranganathan et al. (2022) – “An Ecological Approach to Skill Acquisition: Implications for Learning and Transfer”

Key Support for MovNat:

This paper directly supports the ecological dynamics framework at the heart of MovNat’s method. It critiques traditional, reductionist motor learning theories and instead emphasizes the role of real-world interaction, exploration, and adaptability. Ranganathan et al. argue that skill emerges from self-organizing behavior under constraints — not from rote repetition of ideal movement forms.

MovNat’s design—task-based, goal-oriented, and environment-rich—mirrors the recommended learning strategies in this article. The paper reinforces that variability in training is not “noise,” but a functional component of learning. This validates MovNat’s use of diverse terrain, object sizes, movement patterns, and progressions that allow practitioners to develop robust, transferable skills.

“The ecological approach views skill acquisition as the process of the individual learning to exploit information to discover functional, adaptable solutions.”

APA Citation:
Ranganathan, R., Lee, M. H., & Newell, K. M. (2022). An ecological approach to skill acquisition: Implications for learning and transfer. Human Movement Science, 86, 103093.

2. Gray (2020) – “How We Learn to Move: A Revolution in the Way We Coach & Practice Sports Skills”

Key Support for MovNat:

This article distills modern motor learning science for applied coaches and movement educators. Gray highlights the limitations of prescriptive techniques and emphasizes the value of representative learning design and movement exploration. It supports giving learners autonomy and allowing movement solutions to emerge through problem-solving—a key feature of MovNat sessions.

Gray also introduces the concept of repetition without repetition, a principle MovNat has long embraced in practice. The emphasis on task relevance, goal-orientation, and natural consequence in skill learning aligns with MovNat’s outdoor sessions, situational drills, and adaptive movement challenges.

“The coach’s job is not to prescribe ideal movement patterns, but to design practice environments that allow the athlete to discover solutions that work for them.”

APA Citation:
Gray, R. (2020). How We Learn to Move: A Revolution in the Way We Coach & Practice Sports Skills. [Open access monograph].

3. Paas & Sweller (2012) – “An Evolutionary Upgrade of Cognitive Load Theory: Using the Human Movement Effect to Foster Learning”

Key Support for MovNat:
This article refines Cognitive Load Theory by introducing the Human Movement Effect, explaining that motor learning is more intuitive than abstract academic tasks due to our evolved neural architecture. It argues that humans are biologically primed to learn through observation and imitation of movement, making embodied, movement-rich environments ideal for skill acquisition. This strongly supports MovNat’s method of teaching through modeling, exploration, and real-world movement challenges rather than decontextualized drills.

The paper also emphasizes that instructional strategies should match the learner’s evolutionary predisposition—meaning less verbal explanation and more experience-based learning. MovNat’s workshops, drills, and self-directed exploration harness exactly this principle by minimizing abstract cues and maximizing task-specific interaction.

“Movements observed and imitated in an embodied context require lower cognitive load than symbolic, language-based instruction.”
— Paas & Sweller, 2012

APA Citation:
Paas, F., & Sweller, J. (2012). An evolutionary upgrade of cognitive load theory: Using the human movement effect to foster learning. Educational Psychology Review, 24(1), 27–45.

4. Ranganathan et al. (2020) – “Skill Acquisition Perspectives on Strength Training”

Key Support for MovNat:
This article challenges the traditional view of strength training as purely mechanical or physiological. Instead, it reframes strength as a skill—something that should be taught using motor learning principles like variability, intention, and environmental context. MovNat’s emphasis on adaptable strength (lifting, carrying, jumping) in real-world conditions mirrors this approach by requiring strength to emerge through problem-solving in natural, unpredictable environments.

The authors argue that performance improves when strength is acquired within functional tasks rather than isolated repetitions. This aligns perfectly with MovNat’s strategy of training through diverse movement challenges (e.g., lifting irregular objects, carrying while balancing), making strength acquisition both contextually rich and neurologically robust.

“Strength training is not just about repetition and overload, but about acquiring skillful control over force in varied contexts.”
— Ranganathan et al., 2020

APA Citation:
Ranganathan, R., Lee, M. H., & Newell, K. M. (2020). Strength training: A skill acquisition perspective. Strength & Conditioning Journal, 42(6), 75–88.

5. Krakauer et al. (2019) – “Motor Learning: From Reflexes to Skill”

Key Support for MovNat:
This article provides a deep dive into the neurological underpinnings of motor learning, from error correction to habit formation. The authors describe how task-relevant variability, rather than rote repetition, is central to developing resilient movement skills. This supports MovNat’s methodology, which encourages exploration, adaptation, and varied practice over rigid form replication.

They emphasize that goal-oriented practice embedded in meaningful contexts leads to stronger memory encoding and longer-lasting skill retention. MovNat’s sessions embody this approach by teaching movement as a form of survival problem-solving—e.g., carrying a person, vaulting over obstacles, or balancing in nature.

“Skill is not the automation of a fixed movement pattern but the ability to adapt a learned action to changing conditions.”
— Krakauer et al., 2019

APA Citation:
Krakauer, J. W., Hadjiosif, A. M., Xu, J., Wong, A. L., & Haith, A. M. (2019). Motor learning. Comprehensive Physiology, 9(2), 613–663.

6. Ruffieux et al. (2020) – “Motor Learning and Aging: A Review of Behavioral and Neural Evidence”

Key Support for MovNat:
This review explores how older adults acquire motor skills and how training environments can be adapted for age-related changes. It concludes that implicit learning, sensory-rich cues, and variable practice are especially effective in older populations. These findings directly support MovNat’s work with aging adults, where play-based drills like crawling, rolling, and balancing create low-threat, high-adaptation opportunities for learning and retention.

Rather than using explicit rules or isolated movements, MovNat immerses older learners in real-life motor tasks, which are more effective in promoting neuroplasticity and fall-resilience than traditional, repetitive exercise.

“Implicit motor learning approaches may be better suited to aging populations due to preserved procedural learning capacity.”
— Ruffieux et al., 2020

APA Citation:
Ruffieux, J., Mouthon, M., Wälchli, M., Keller, M., & Taube, W. (2020). Motor learning and aging: A review of behavioral and neural evidence. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 12, 82.

7. Paas et al. (2011) – “Embodied Cognition and Educational Research”

Key Support for MovNat:
This paper explores how embodied interaction—using the body to think and learn—reduces cognitive load and improves educational outcomes. The authors find that gesturing, manipulating objects, and moving through space enhance working memory and comprehension. MovNat’s pedagogy is grounded in these same principles: learning happens not just through explanation but through interaction with the environment, objects, and tasks.

This research justifies MovNat’s tactile coaching, physical modeling, and task-based progressions as more than stylistic choices—they are scientifically sound tools that match the way human cognition evolved to work.

“Instruction should capitalize on the human body’s ability to offload cognitive processing into movement.”
— Paas et al., 2011

APA Citation:
Paas, F., Embretson, S. E., & Sweller, J. (2011). Cognitive load theory and educational research: A brief history and review. Educational Psychology Review, 23(1), 61–71.

1. Noseworthy et al. (2023) – “The Effects of Outdoor versus Indoor Exercise on Psychological Health, Physical Health, and Physical Activity Behaviour”

Key Support for MovNat:

This systematic review directly compares the impact of outdoor (green) exercise to indoor exercise across longitudinal studies. Although overall evidence is still emerging and somewhat methodologically limited, all statistically significant findings across the ten eligible trials favored outdoor exercise. Notably, outdoor environments were linked to enhanced mobility, flexibility, enjoyment, and adherence—suggesting that movement in nature may be more engaging, enjoyable, and sustainable. These findings support the MovNat model, which emphasizes environmental interaction, variety, and intrinsic motivation over repetitive, indoor routines.

MovNat’s real-world application of movement through natural terrains, unpredictable surfaces, and changing environmental demands aligns closely with this evidence. Even when the physiological load is matched, outdoor exercise may feel less effortful and more enjoyable—factors that contribute to adherence and long-term health outcomes. The review also underscores the concept of “green exercise,” where the presence of natural elements amplifies the psychological benefits of movement.

“All 25 statistically significant comparisons favored outdoor exercise… indicating that outdoor movement environments may have a positive effect on physical and psychological outcomes compared to indoor exercise.”
— Noseworthy et al., 2023

APA Citation:
Noseworthy, M., Peddie, L., Buckler, E. J., Park, F., Pham, M., Pratt, S., Singh, A., Puterman, E., & Liu-Ambrose, T. (2023). The effects of outdoor versus indoor exercise on psychological health, physical health, and physical activity behaviour: A systematic review of longitudinal trials. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(3), 1669. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20031669

2. Thompson Coon et al. (2011) – “Does participating in physical activity in outdoor natural environments have a greater effect on physical and mental wellbeing than physical activity indoors?”

Key Support for MovNat:

This meta-analysis examines data from 11 studies comparing physical activity in natural (green) environments with similar activity performed indoors. The findings show that outdoor movement significantly improves both physical and mental well-being. Specifically, participants engaging in green exercise reported greater feelings of revitalization, increased energy, and decreased tension, confusion, anger, and depression compared to indoor exercise participants.

The implications for MovNat are direct: the system’s use of natural surroundings—be it urban parks, wooded trails, or uneven terrain—not only improves physical competency, but may simultaneously enhance mood, resilience, and adherence to training. The authors emphasize that green environments create a synergistic effect where the interaction between movement and nature leads to amplified outcomes. This speaks to the importance of designing movement experiences that are not only functional but also emotionally nourishing—core to MovNat’s philosophy.

“Compared with exercising indoors, exercising in natural environments was associated with greater feelings of revitalization and positive engagement, decreases in tension, confusion, anger, and depression, and increased energy.”
— Thompson Coon et al., 2011

APA Citation:
Thompson Coon, J., Boddy, K., Stein, K., Whear, R., Barton, J., & Depledge, M. H. (2011). Does participating in physical activity in outdoor natural environments have a greater effect on physical and mental wellbeing than physical activity indoors? Environmental Science & Technology, 45(5), 1761–1772. https://doi.org/10.1021/es102947t

3. Pretty et al. (2005) – “The mental and physical health outcomes of green exercise”

Key Support for MovNat:

This foundational paper introduces the term green exercise to describe physical activity performed in natural environments. It presents empirical findings that even short bouts of outdoor exercise—especially those combining movement with visual exposure to nature—yield improved mood, reduced blood pressure, and enhanced self-esteem. Unlike traditional gym-based routines, green exercise engages multiple sensory systems and fosters a sense of connection to the environment, both of which are essential qualities embedded in MovNat’s training design.

MovNat’s emphasis on barefoot locomotion, load handling, climbing, and balance on natural terrain enhances these multisensory interactions. The article suggests that the additive effects of movement and nature may produce superior health outcomes compared to indoor exercise, even when the movement type is held constant. This supports the MovNat belief that where we move profoundly influences how and why we move.

“Green exercise can lead to positive short and long-term health outcomes… and the synergistic benefit of combining activity with nature exposure may be more impactful than previously recognized.”
— Pretty et al., 2005

APA Citation:
Pretty, J., Peacock, J., Sellens, M., & Griffin, M. (2005). The mental and physical health outcomes of green exercise. International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 15(5), 319–337. https://doi.org/10.1080/09603120500155963

4. Gladwell et al. (2013) – “The great outdoors: How a green exercise environment can benefit all”

Key Support for MovNat:

This review article highlights the wide-ranging benefits of exercising in green environments, from physiological metrics (e.g., cortisol reduction, heart rate variability) to psychological effects (e.g., increased motivation, reduced perceived exertion). The authors argue that natural environments uniquely support restoration and resilience, contributing to both recovery and long-term performance outcomes.

MovNat’s philosophy of “train in the real world, for the real world” is echoed in the article’s emphasis on ecological context. Gladwell and colleagues reinforce that movement in varied, unpredictable environments—versus sterile, linear gym routines—challenges the neuromuscular and cognitive systems in more integrated ways. This supports MovNat’s principle that adaptability and awareness are inseparable from fitness.

“Compared with indoor settings, natural environments offer a more complex and enriching stimulus, fostering greater physical and psychological engagement.”
— Gladwell et al., 2013

APA Citation:
Gladwell, V. F., Brown, D. K., Wood, C., Sandercock, G. R., & Barton, J. L. (2013). The great outdoors: How a green exercise environment can benefit all. Extreme Physiology & Medicine, 2(1), 3. https://doi.org/10.1186/2046-7648-2-3

5. Eigenschenk et al. (2019) – “Benefits of outdoor sports for society”

Key Support for MovNat:

This review synthesizes evidence from environmental psychology, sports science, and public health to argue that outdoor sports—including activities such as trail running, climbing, and obstacle navigation—contribute not only to individual health but to broader societal well-being. Key outcomes include enhanced self-regulation, motor skill development, and stress resilience.

Though MovNat is not a traditional outdoor sport, the practices share core values: task-oriented physicality, real-world challenge, and ecological interaction. The article reinforces the idea that environments rich in affordances (like rocks, trees, uneven surfaces) promote motor learning and psychological well-being—concepts central to MovNat programming and pedagogy.

“Physical activities in natural environments are particularly suitable for promoting autonomy, competence, and relatedness — fundamental psychological needs.”
— Eigenschenk et al., 2019

APA Citation:
Eigenschenk, B., Thomann, A., McClure, M., Davies, L., Gregory, M., Dettweiler, U., & Inglés, E. (2019). Benefits of outdoor sports for society. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 25, 86–91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jort.2018.09.001

1. Dinoff et al. (2016) – “The Effect of Exercise Training on Resting Concentrations of Peripheral Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF): A Meta-Analysis”

Key Support for MovNat:
This meta-analysis evaluates 29 studies on how physical activity affects resting levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein essential for neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity, and long-term brain health. The authors found that aerobic training significantly increased BDNF levels, while resistance training did not. This increase in peripheral BDNF is a critical marker for enhanced brain function, cognition, and emotional well-being.

These findings support MovNat’s emphasis on natural, aerobic, and functional movement in varied environments as a viable method to enhance brain plasticity, especially given that MovNat emphasizes sustained locomotion, climbing, crawling, and other continuous dynamic activities. The article’s discussion of how real-world, goal-directed movement boosts BDNF aligns closely with MovNat’s programming approach.

“An increase in BDNF is proposed to be a mechanism through which physical activity enhances cognition and alleviates psychiatric symptoms.”
— Dinoff et al., 2016

APA Citation:
Dinoff, A., Herrmann, N., Swardfager, W., Liu, C. S., Sherman, C., Chan, S., & Lanctôt, K. L. (2016). The effect of exercise training on resting concentrations of peripheral brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF): A meta-analysis. PLOS ONE, 11(9), e0163037.

2. Budde et al. (2016) – “Neuroscience of Exercise: Neuroplasticity and Its Behavioral Consequences”

Key Support for MovNat:
This editorial synthesizes evidence from multiple studies on the impact of physical activity on the brain, highlighting the link between exercise and neuroplasticity, particularly in regions involved with executive function, attention, and memory. The authors argue that cognitively engaging physical activities—those that challenge balance, coordination, and adaptive decision-making—create greater neurophysiological benefits than rote, linear movements.

This directly supports MovNat’s approach: climbing, vaulting, crawling, and balancing are not only physical feats but neuromotor challenges that require situational awareness, sensory integration, and continuous recalibration. These qualities stimulate the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, facilitating not just movement learning but long-term neural adaptation.

“Exercise training that demands cognitive engagement results in more robust neuroplastic changes than monotonous or purely aerobic exercise.”
— Budde et al., 2016

APA Citation:
Budde, H., Wegner, M., Soya, H., Voelcker-Rehage, C., & McMorris, T. (2016). Neuroscience of exercise: Neuroplasticity and its behavioral consequences. Neural Plasticity, 2016, Article ID 3619279.

3. Loehrer et al. (2023) – “Aging, Executive Function, and Motor Control: Cognitive-Motor Interactions in Bimanual Coordination”

Key Support for MovNat:
This article investigates how aging affects executive function and motor control, particularly in tasks requiring bimanual coordination. It finds that older adults increasingly rely on executive resources—such as inhibition, cognitive shifting, and working memory—to execute complex motor tasks. This age-related shift reveals the growing importance of cognitively rich physical training for maintaining functional independence and reducing motor decline.

MovNat, with its emphasis on real-time decision-making, coordination under load, and full-body locomotion, implicitly trains these executive processes. Tasks like vaulting, crawling, and asymmetric carrying demand inhibition of inefficient strategies, constant tactical updating, and dynamic shifting between movement modes. As such, the methodology addresses both motor performance and cognitive resilience.

“Intact executive functioning may be particularly crucial for older adults when performing complex motor control tasks.”
— Loehrer et al., 2023

APA Citation:
Loehrer, E., Koeneke, S., Luechinger, R., & Jäncke, L. (2023). Aging, executive function, and motor control: Cognitive-motor interactions in bimanual coordination. Aging (Albany NY), 15(5), 1819–1835.

4. Raw et al. (2023) – “Skill Acquisition as a Function of Age, Hand, and Task Difficulty: Interactions Between Cognition and Action”

Key Support for MovNat:
This article examines how aging impacts both motor execution and cognitive processes during skill acquisition. The authors challenge the traditional division between “motor” and “cognitive” tasks, instead showing that learning a movement sequence depends on working memory capacity, planning, and sensorimotor integration. Older adults were found to be slower, more variable, and less accurate—especially in tasks requiring complex sequencing—due in part to diminished cognitive-motor coordination.

MovNat’s movement training blends problem-solving with physical coordination, especially in sequences like get-up transitions, crawling patterns, or complex climbing drills. These task chains require learners to manage multiple movement elements in working memory, adapt their plans mid-action, and sequence transitions fluently. In aging populations or rehab settings, MovNat offers a cognitively integrated movement practice that strengthens both domains concurrently.

“Some activities can be meaningfully dichotomized as ‘cognitive’ or ‘sensorimotor’ in nature — but many cannot… Skill acquisition relies on the integration of memory, sequencing, and precise execution.”
— Raw et al., 2023

APA Citation:
Raw, R. K., Wilkie, R. M., Allen, R. J., Warburton, M., Leonetti, M., Williams, J. H. G., & Mon-Williams, M. (2023). Skill acquisition as a function of age, hand, and task difficulty: Interactions between cognition and action. PLOS ONE, 18(3), e0282649.

5. Jimenez et al. (2021) – “Associations between Nature Exposure and Health: A Review of the Evidence”

Key Support for MovNat:

This review consolidates extensive evidence linking time spent in natural environments to reduced stress, enhanced cognitive performance, improved executive functioning, and increased physical activity. It highlights how green space exposure can reduce all-cause mortality and support neural health via mechanisms like attention restoration, stress recovery, and increased physical movement.

For MovNat, the findings are particularly relevant because the system explicitly trains movement in and with nature. MovNat doesn’t treat nature as a backdrop—it is a medium for movement exploration and nervous system adaptation. The paper reinforces the view that training in nature isn’t just a novelty; it’s a biologically congruent strategy for supporting mental clarity, neurocognitive flexibility, and resilience.

“Nature exposure is consistently associated with a wide range of health benefits… including improvements in cognitive function and reduced risk of mental illness.”
— Jimenez et al., 2021

APA Citation:
Jimenez, M. P., DeVille, N. V., Elliott, E. G., Schiff, J. E., Wilt, G. E., Hart, J. E., & James, P. (2021). Associations between nature exposure and health: A review of the evidence. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(9), 4790.

6. Jo et al. (2019) – “Physiological Benefits of Viewing Nature: A Systematic Review of Indoor Experiments”

Key Support for MovNat:

This systematic review analyzes 37 peer-reviewed studies evaluating the physiological effects of visually perceiving natural elements—such as forests, plants, and natural imagery—within indoor environments. Across these studies, outcomes consistently demonstrate reductions in sympathetic nervous system activity (e.g., decreased heart rate and blood pressure), increases in parasympathetic activity (e.g., elevated HRV), and improvements in prefrontal cortex activity linked to attention and emotional regulation.

MovNat’s outdoor, nature-integrated design offers more than mere physical challenge; it activates recovery pathways through multisensory engagement with natural environments. While MovNat emphasizes movement in nature, this review confirms that even viewing natural elements can positively modulate brain and nervous system activity—suggesting that fully immersive, physical interaction with nature, as MovNat promotes, may yield even more profound benefits.

“Contact with nature has been proposed as a solution to achieve physiological relaxation and stress recovery… a number of scientific verification outcomes have been shown.”
— Jo et al., 2019

APA Citation:
Jo, H., Song, C., & Miyazaki, Y. (2019). Physiological benefits of viewing nature: A systematic review of indoor experiments. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(23), 4739.

7. Dinoff et al. (2016) – “The Effect of Exercise Training on Resting Concentrations of Peripheral Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF): A Meta-Analysis”

Key Support for MovNat:

This meta-analysis explores how exercise training affects levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the peripheral blood. BDNF is a key player in neuroplasticity—it supports the growth, survival, and differentiation of neurons, and has been strongly linked to cognitive health, memory function, and mood regulation. The authors analyzed over 29 studies and found that consistent exercise, especially aerobic and endurance-based activities, significantly elevated resting BDNF levels in adults.

MovNat, while rooted in natural movement rather than traditional aerobic training, regularly elicits cardiovascular engagement through crawling, balancing, climbing, and other locomotion tasks. These findings suggest that MovNat could contribute to enhanced BDNF availability—especially because the movements are complex, cognitively engaging, and task-driven. This reinforces the brain-body integration that underpins MovNat’s philosophy.

“Exercise training was associated with a moderate increase in resting peripheral BDNF… This may underlie some of the cognitive benefits of physical activity.”
— Dinoff et al., 2016

APA Citation:
Dinoff, A., Herrmann, N., Swardfager, W., Liu, C. S., Sherman, C., Chan, S., & Lanctôt, K. L. (2016). The effect of exercise training on resting concentrations of peripheral brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF): A meta-analysis. PLoS ONE, 11(9), e0163037.