By 400BC the Greeks had a well developed health system comprising regular physical activity for the health benefits it bestowed. Interestingly, Greek gymnasiums comprised three key activates: strength training, swimming and massage, all of which were thought to contribute to health and wellbeing.

Greek legend has it that Milo of Croton (6th century BC) was an Olympic wrestler who was famed for his athletic feats and great strength. The classic tale of how Milo developed his strength has been passed down for over 2000 years.

It is reported that ‘as a boy, Milo was tasked by his father to carry a young bull calf around a field. Every day he had to repeat this feat. Overtime the bull calf grew into a large adult but as the bull grew so did Milo's strength. Even when it was a full size adult Milo was still able to carry it around the field’.

This tale as for many Greek fables has an underlying message and truism. To build strength Milo was progressively challenged (overloaded) to increase his strength thorough his developmental years.

The load was progressively increased such that as the calf grew Milo was continually challenged. The time required to build this level of strength is also suggested as being over an extended period seeing lifelong gradual strength gains.

The tale also infers exercise consistency ‘everyday, he had to repeat this activity’ with repeated lifting and carrying cycles.

This activity may also have been work or task specific. Modern-day sports scientists and athletes look to develop maximal strength such that it can benefit their specific sporting demands. Were they farmers or did Milo not get along with his dad?!

For those of us who have had the challenge of carrying a dead or static weight the thought of moving a live animal which may not be too happy about it will bring in an additional and lively challenge. Is this in fact the origins of core stability?!