The positioning of the body segments in relation to each other and to the mechanical axis is nothing more than a posture of the body. The figure we have is determined by the tension of muscle chains, controlled by the nervous system. Very often genetics, parental personality patterns, stress management factors and life experiences determine the original posture of the body, which fortunately we can correct. On one condition - if we know where the problem is.
A well-known American physiotherapist and motor preparation coach Gray Cook, observing the functioning of body mechanics and peripheral joints, created a concept that is still used by many coaches and physiotherapists working in sport. What is this system and what is the characteristic feature of this concept? Is the development of functional diagnostics nowadays a place for his way of thinking?
The specificity of the construction of certain joints adapts them to perform certain functions. From the point of view of the functioning of the body, it is stability and mobility/movement. There were already a few words on the pages of this blog about the transfer of axial loads by the kinematic chain, the principles of compensation and the mechanisms of injury.
Following Gray Cook's idea of "joint by joint aproach", the upper ankle joint should be movable in order to properly select the unevenness of the ground. Analyzing the next link in the chain, the knee joint should be very stable in its function, as it mainly moves in the sagittal plane (bending/extension). The condition for ergonomic power transfer to the lower part of the body is to restore proper biomechanics of the hip joint, whose primary function is mobility. In the lumbar spine there is only 1-2 of rotation, so stability is the foundation on which we should base our analysis of this segment.
It is worth noting that the so-called "core stability" region focuses on restoring the function of many elements that I will be writing about in the next editions of this blog. I mean here the lumbar-pelvic-hipwhip complex.
Inhibition of rotation movements (horizontal plane) is a function of the chest section. Disorders in this aspect may be transmitted to the lumbar segment (adapted to carry axial, non-rotational loads) implying overload and back pain. The cervical section should be very stable, especially the lower part. Mobility is a characteristic of the shoulder joint. I would say shoulder complex, why?
As in the hip complex, the shoulder area is also treated as a set of interdependent structures, whose proper balance determines the proper functioning of this area. These elements include: the shoulder blade, which is the main energy funnel, transferring it to the entire lower limb and trunk, the chest section, which determines the correct position of the shoulder blade on the chest, and the head of the humerus bone and its centralization. In order for this region to work properly, it is necessary to have an appropriate musculoskeletal and fascistic balance of agonists (mainly perform movement), antagonists (opposing muscles to movement, inhibit movement) and synergists (support movement), neuromuscular coordination and knowledge of movement patterns initiated by the upper limb.
According to Gray Cook, who answers the question of what we should fight for when applying physical exercises - mobility, mobility, flexibility or stability - the answer is that each joint requires a different approach and training goal. When preparing a plan of resistance, stabilization or flexibility exercises, we should remember about this idea. Very often back pain is a consequence of disorders of elasticity of hips. Constantly tightening the muscles of the sciatica and shin group with a problem in the organization of core muscles and stabilization. Limitation of mobility of the shoulder joint is a result of abnormalities in the shoulder blade. Many examples can be multiplied.
Only one thing is important!
The body in dynamics works in a selective way. When it needs stability - it will use it, when it is necessary to slow down the movement - it will use mobility. The analysis should be based on the search for disturbances in the course of the entire chain, not only in the isolated segment. Building mobility on stability is the foundation. Only looking at it this way can bring a lot of good results in training and injury-free functioning.