Proponents of functional strength training recognize that it is essential to train the body in the specific movement necessary to achieve the goal. In the case of rehabilitation of an injured athlete, improving the strength of a sprained ankle also included balance, coordination and strength in all planes so the joint is more stable and stronger than it was prior to the injury.
Unlike powerlifting, functional strength training is not an all or nothing concept. Instead it exists along a continuum for the actual activity you are training for. You shouldn’t rely on just one group of exercises to achieve your goal but should supplement functional strength training with your traditional training.
In some circles, the term functional strength training has come to be synonymous with real-life strength in a real-life world, using exercise as the means of measurement. But comparing the strength of a man who can bench press 500 pounds versus a woman who can run around all day with a 30 pound baby strapped to her hip is a bit silly. In each case, the individual has specific strengths and endurance that allows them to perfect their real-world needs.
In most cases, functional training refers to the exercises that work over multiple muscle groups and joints to decrease your overall risk of injury, improve your coordination and balance and just make everyday activities even easier.
Resources:
MensFitness: The Functional Workout Routine
http://www.mensfitness.com/training/build-muscle/the-functional-workout-routine
MensHealth: Functional Training Real-Life Strength
ACE: What is Functional Strength Training
She Knows: Functional Fitness
BodyBuilding: Functional Training Craze
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/jessec4.htm
MayoClinic: Functional Fitness Training
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/fitness/in-depth/functional-fitness/art-20047680
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