Question:  Bill, What mobility activities do you use for lower level patients/athletes with increased kyphosis and limited glenohumeral ROM?

Answer:  If you come into my clinic on any particular day, you’ll see my shoulder patients doing many of the exercises from the Inside-Out DVD.  There’s certainly a reason we put those exercises in the program, and it’s simply because they’re effective in most cases.

Thoracic spine mobilizations with a foam roller and combined thoracic extension and rotation can be done with just about any shoulder patient.  Even in the early stages of rehab, the painful shoulder can be protected while important gains in thoracic spine mobility that will improve shoulder function are made.

I also like to use the active shoulder range of motion and scapular mobility exercises from Inside-Out.  The exception is when there may be a limitation in range of motion that requires a time dependent change in the tissues.  In this case, various stretching methods will be implemented.  The more common areas in athletes that require stretching are the posterior and inferior capsule.

In cases where muscle stiffness is the limitation, traditional, 30-second static stretches, and PNF stretching works quite well.  In cases of tissue shortening, longer duration methods such as low load passive tension stretches for up to 20 minutes or eccentric quasi-isometrics may be in order.

Bill

Question:  Is there a difference between training for injury prevention and training for improved athletic performance?

Answer:  No.

Think about it.

Can an athlete perform at his best with significant asymmetries in joint movement from one side of the body to the other?

Not likely. (Note: there are a few exceptions like the shoulders of baseball pitchers and tennis players)

Is an athlete more likely to be injured with significant asymmetries in joint movement from one side of the body to the other?

Yes. (AJSM 19:  76-81 (1991), Spine. Sept; 8(6):  643-51)

Can a fatigued athlete produce and absorb high levels of force and perform at an optimal level?

Not likely.

Is a fatigued athlete more likely to get injured?

Yes.  (Neuroscience Letters 333(2):  November 2002, pp.  131-135; MSSE 34(12):  1907-1912, December 2002)

Ever see an ACL injury prevention training program?  They emphasize proper landing mechanics, posterior chain strengthening, force absorption and plyometric training, etc.

Looks a lot like a performance enhancement program.

Train your athletes for improved performance, and they’re less likely to be injured.

Bill

Are you ready for the best sports training, fat loss training, or personal trainer Indianapolis has to offer? 

Indianapolis Fitness and Sports Training is taking a select number of new clients as we approach our official opening date.  This gives you an opportunity to get your foot in the door early.

You can check out our website and get more info here: Indianapolis Personal Trainer

Bill

My good friend Alwyn Cosgrove is celebrating his 2nd ReBirthday today after his bone marrow transplant that saved his life.

His is alive for two reasons.  Research and money.

People like you donated money to allow some very intelligent people to do the necessary research to turn those diagnosed with cancer into cancer survivors.

Please go to www.liftstrong.com and buy over 800 pages of the best information from the top names in fitness, strength & conditioning, and rehabilitation.  ALL the proceeds go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

You’ll learn something and save a life.

www.liftstrong.com

Bill

I had a terrific training session on Wednesday.

It was my first initial session at our new gym.  Mike Robertson and I just started moving equipment in this week and will most likely be up and running in a couple weeks if not sooner.

It was hot and humid because the electricity isn’t even turned on yet, but it was perfect to get in a quick training session.

It reminds me of the training we used to do in a buddies barn when I first started training.  It was a big concrete block place with a metal roof.  In the summer it was like an oven.  In the winter you risked tearing the skin off of your hands because the barbells were so cold.

It was some of the most enjoyable training I’ve ever done.

Bill