Time: 9:00 a.m. -10:30 a.m.
Presenter: Guntis “Gunner” Obrascovs

Gunner on Function:
Functional training, functional rehab, functionality, function, function, function; what in the heck is function? It seems that function has become this 400 lb. Gorilla that balances a ball on its head, while running on its’ arms on a beach in a wind-storm. But does a Gorilla really need to do that to be a Gorilla?

So what then is function? Why is function important? Where do we look for answers?

Whenever I think of functionality, I look to the animal kingdom and ask myself; what is the difference for that animal between starving and dying or living and thriving?

Is that animal successful because it strives to enlarge its muscles, or is it successful because it’s nervous system allows it to address life with the requisite coordination necessary to survive?

Does that animal isolate body parts in its efforts to survive, or would that isolationist strategy cause life-threatening confusions?

What role does anatomical individuality play in regards to the animal’s functional individuality?

When the animal breaks down, whose fault is it anyway?

In my session today, I will discuss and expand upon the ever-complex Human animal and the concept of functionality: That concept being; that the successful Human animal is the Human animal that is helped to function as and only as a Human animal.

Bio: Guntis “Gunner” Obrascovs

2008 Marks the 20th anniversary since certified athletic therapist Gunner became the Head Athletic Therapist at the University of Guelph (UG), located in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Gunner brings with him an international reputation that spans 4 decades and includes, 2 Pan American Games, 4 World University Games, 2 Summer Olympic Games and countless other international and national events. Inclusive of being the long time Head Athletic Therapist for Canada Men’s Basketball and numerous other Basketball Canada teams, Gunner has worked internationally as an accredited athletic therapist with teams in the sports of Volleyball, Ice-Hockey and Field Lacrosse.

Gunner’s experience dates back to 1977 and he has worked in pro sports as an assistant or guest trainer with the Toronto Blizzard of the NASL and with the Toronto Argos of the CFL. Through the course of his diverse professional activities Gunner has worked with NBA, CFL, NFL, and NIL athletes.

In addition to caring for athletes, Gunner has been an instructor in the Sheridan College Athletic Therapy program and through his formal and informal teaching has been the inspiration for many next-generation athletic and physical therapists who to this day seek his expertise on all things therapy and performance related.

…known internationally for answering questions with; “well, what do you think…?”, Gunner has a knack for inspiring others to actively seek self-education and hones his own physical functionality by playing basketball in the legendary “Fat Men’s” Guelph, Ontario - based hoops league. Married to Greta, a former collegiate basketball player, Gunner derives much joy out of being the trainer and head cheerleader for his sons’ - Leon and Felix - rep soccer and baseball teams.