Cross-training (Also known as conditioning) refers to training in different ways to improve overall performance. It takes advantage of the particular effectiveness of each training method, while at the same time attempting to neglect the shortcomings of that method by combining it with other methods that address its weaknesses.

In general sports

Cross-training in sports and fitness refers to the combining of exercises to work various parts of the body. Sport is an Activity that is governed by a set of rules or Customs and often engaged in competitively Physical fitness is used in two close meanings general fitness (a state of Health and well-being and specific fitness (a task-oriented definition based on the ability Often one particular activity works certain muscle groups, but not others, Cross-training aims to eliminate this. Jogging, for example, is excellent for endurance, and prolonged use of the large muscle groups in the legs. Jogging is a form of trotting or running at a slow or leisurely pace Endurance (also called sufferance) is the ability for humans to exert themselves through aerobic or Anaerobic exercise for relatively long periods of time Muscle (from Latin musculus, diminutive of mus "mouse" is contractile tissue of the body and is derived from the A leg is a limb on an Animal 's Body that supports the rest of the animal above the ground between the Ankle and the Hip and is used for A jogger may lift weights in order to build muscle and increase upper body strength, things that running cannot provide.

In mixed martial arts

In mixed martial arts of self-defense application, cross-training refers to training in multiple martial arts or fighting systems to become proficient in all the phases of unarmed combat. Mixed martial arts (MMA is a full contact Combat sport that allows a wide variety of fighting techniques from a mixture of Martial arts traditions and Self-defense (or self-defence &mdash see spelling differences) is the act of defending oneself one's property or the well-being of another from physical harm Martial arts are systems of codified practices and traditions of training for Combat. Mixed martial arts (MMA is a full contact Combat sport that allows a wide variety of fighting techniques from a mixture of Martial arts traditions and This training is meant to overcome the shortcomings of one style by practicing another style which is strong in appropriate area. A typical combination involves a striking-based art such as Muay Thai, combined with a grappling-based art such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. A strike is an attack with an inanimate object such as a Weapon, or with a part of the human body intended to cause an effect upon an opponent or to simply cause harm to Muay Thai ( IPA: /muɑɪtʰɑɪ/ muāitʰāi มวยไทย lit Grappling refers to the gripping handling and controlling of an opponent without the use of striking, typically through the application of various Grappling holds Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ( BJJ) is a Martial art and Combat sport that focuses on Grappling and especially Ground fighting with the goal Many hybrid martial arts can be considered derivatives of such cross-training. For the combat sport see Mixed martial arts. Hybrid martial arts (also known as hybrid fighting systems) refer to Martial arts

Modern mixed martial arts training generally involves cross-training in the different aspects and ranges of unarmed hand to hand combat, while at the same time avoiding association with any particular martial art. Hand-to-hand combat (sometimes abbreviated as HTH or H2H is a generic term for Close quarters fighting, particularly when the outcome is potentially fatal as in Melee Martial arts are systems of codified practices and traditions of training for Combat. Focus is placed on certain types of fighting during different training sessions, such as stand-up grappling, or ground fighting. Grappling refers to the gripping handling and controlling of an opponent without the use of striking, typically through the application of various Grappling holds Ground fighting (in Martial arts sometimes referred to as " ground work " or " ground game " is hand-to-hand combat which takes

Of course the idea of cross training within the martial arts is not new or an invention of the cage fighters/mixed martial artists. It is an old idea developed within the old martial arts which are of course multi disipline, due to the fact of battle field survival.

In business operations management

Cross-training in operations involves training employees to engage in quality control measures. In Engineering and Manufacturing, quality control and quality engineering are involved in developing systems to ensure products or services Employees are trained in tangent job functions to increase oversight in ways that are impossible through management interactions with workers alone.

Advantages

• Helps patrons/customers/clients in the long run, as employees are empowered to answer questions about the entire organization.
• Requires staff to re-evaluate the reasons and methods for accomplishing their work; inefficient methods, outdated techniques and bureaucratic drift are challenged, if not eliminated.
• Raises an awareness of what other departments do.
• Routine scheduling is enhanced with the ability to move staff about the "Operation".
• Better coverage, increased flexibility and ability to cope with unexpected absences, emergencies, illness, etc.
• Can increase the "employability" of staff who have the opportunity to train in areas they were not originally hired for.

Other advantages include

• Increased flexibility and versatility,
• Appreciated "intellectual capital"
• Improved individual efficiency,
• Increased standardization of jobs,
• Heightened Morale

[ Richardson, J. (2008) Cross Training. [Online Article]. Accessed through Internet Explorer on April 18, 2008 at http://www.restaurantowner.com/public/385.cfm ]

See also

• Interdisciplinarity