Session 748 Moving From Function To Dysfunction By: Greg Roskopf, MA We Must Determine The Physical Characteristics Of Each Client Proper Assessments will dictate each clients physical capabilities I don t care what you can do I want to know what you can t do We must have some information that tells us where to start with each client Proper assessment allows for efficient preparation and exercise prescription Assessments for Muscular Imbalances Postural Assessment: Static Functional Assessment: Dynamic Overhead squat Functional Threshold 1 Leg squat 2 leg Squat Gait Analysis: Dynamic Cardiovascular Assessment Muscular Strength/Endurance Assessment Flexibility Assessment*** PAIN: A LIMITING FACTOR CONVENTIONAL METHODS OF DEALING WITH PAIN: 1. Avoid exercises that create pain 2. Work through the pain 3. Quit working out ****We cannot diagnose or treat injury!!!! Assessments for Muscular Imbalances Postural Assessment: Static Functional Assessment: Dynamic Overhead squat Functional Threshold 1 Leg squat 2 leg Squat Gait Analysis: Dynamic Cardiovascular Assessment Muscular Strength/Endurance Assessment Flexibility Assessment***
Types Of Assessments Postural Assessment: What are we looking for?? Must Break Down the components of Motion Looking for Deviations in All 3 planes SAGITTAL PLANE DEVIATIONS FRONTAL PLANE DEVIATIONS TRANSVERSE PLANE DEVIATIONS The Dynamic Evaluations Posture is the position where all movement starts from If we start from a bad position, we can NEVER, move properly What happens at these joints when we move?? The same thing: Just magnified Abnormal stress will be placed on joints and tissues Dynamic Evaluations are a continuation of the static (postural) evaluation Gait Analysis Functional Analysis Overhead squat Functional threshold testing 1 leg & 2 leg squat When the Foot Hits The Ground Ground reaction forces Forces moving back through body Changes our understanding of anatomy and kinesiology Muscles alter their function to become more integrated Muscles become more dependent on the function of other muscles A muscle does not have to cross a joint to produce motion at the joint The primary component of muscle function occurs in the eccentric phase of contraction HUMAN MECHANICS 101 All joints are interrelated All movement is based upon the concepts of pronation and supination Pronation and supination occur at each joint
THE TRANSFORMATION Pronation is good Supination is good Required: the TRANSFORMATION from pronation to supination Muscles control this transformation Emphasis on the eccentric phase of contraction Storage of elastic energy Mini Plyometrics A timing relationship: all joints must transform together (lunge) Can the muscles control pronation at all joints at the same time? A weakness at one joint can affect the whole kinetic chain Must Have A Follow-up Approach To Our Subjective Evaluations What we think we see -vs- what really is!! Need to appreciate the integrated system We must confirm what we think that we know Any Isolated weakness can lead to dysfunction throughout the body We must differentiate between the cause and the symptom Ie. Forward shoulder caused by foot pronating We are only as strong as our weakest link \ Consider Isolated Muscle Function How Does It Affect The Integrated System How Pain And Abnormal Muscle Function Relate It all relates to proprioception.. When A Muscle Increases In Length The intrafusal fibers also stretch This stretch causes the primary endings to depolarize, which increases the firing rate of the 1a afferent axons This 1a afferent axon synapses directly with the alpha motor neuron of the muscle itself Alpha motor neuron innervates the extrafusal fiber of the encompassing muscles Telling them to contract
When A Muscle Decreases In Length The intrafusal fibers are no longer placed on a stretch This shortening can cause an unloading of the muscle spindle which in turn would decrease the sensory input sent back to the spinal cord The Problem: No input to CNS from the periphery Alpha Gamma Co-activation Higher centers recognize change in length and send info to activate the gamma motor neuron Gamma motor neuron sends info directly to the intrafusal fibers (contractile portion) Intrafusal fiber tenses: Sensory input directed to alpha MN Combined information!!! By Increasing The Sensitivity Of The Muscle Spindle Increase force production capabilities of the muscle Prepare the body to handle unexpected loads Allow continued feedback throughout the muscles full ROM Improve the capabilities of the muscle to be more efficient in all of its duties Decrease pain by regulating nociceptive input MECHANORECEPTORS VS NOCICEPTORS Nociceptors have high thresholds of activation Under normal circumstances, only stimuli that are either potentially or overtly tissue-damaging can depolarize a nociceptor Injured or inflamed tissues can produce chemicals that sensitize them and cause them to transmit pain signals in response to even gentle stimuli. Mechanoreceptor activity keeps nociceptive activity in check Restricted joint mobility results in decreased firing of large diameter mechanoreceptor axons (A-beta fibers) and increased firing of nociceptive axons (A-delta and C fibers)
ROM Exam Becomes The Indicator Joint stress can come from anywhere Must look at the relationship that each muscle has at each joint Must consider the muscles role in joints that it does not cross The ROM exam tells where the problem originates What is the body protecting from?? We are only as strong as our weakest link Tightness is a neural issue as opposed to a soft tissue issue All based on the Law Of Reciprocal Inhibition THE ROM EXAM The most important tool that we can have as trainers Allows Trainers to Find The Weakest Links All based on the Law of Reciprocal Inhibition Limitations of ROM are a n indication of the body protecting from instability Allows us to Prove what we think that we see Where is the problem??? PRACTICAL APPLICATION INCREASING ROM THOUGH ACTIVATION Isometrics to stimulate weaknesses Least proprioceptive input in shortened range Valid in any position of stretch Increase mobility through gaining stability MUSCLE ACTIVATION TECHNIQUES Step 1: Assessment of ROM Step 2: Recognition of Coinciding Muscle Weakness Step 3: Activation through MAT techniques Step 4: Reinforcement through specific exercises Greg Roskopf, MA Muscle Activation Techniques (303)745-4270 groskopf@muscleactivation.com