Re: [Supertraining] Rotational training and the movement of the feet, hips and back

On Jan 11, 2008 6:17 AM, ben_richens <ben_richens@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> There seems to be a lot of disagreement with the role of the bodies
> movement in rotational movements [...]

One problem is that frequently people do not further disaggregate the
*type* of rotation nor whether the sport calls for rotational mobility
or stability (or both).

For example, I can think of quite a basic distinction: the ability to
produce rotational force in the torso versus the ability to hold the
torso stable while it rotates. In the first case I am thinking of
something like a twist, where the ribcage/shoulders turn away from the
pelvis. This would be useful to train in athletes such as BJJ-ers, who
may twist from the waist to execute a sweep such as an upa --
essentially this begins as a kind of twisting situp, which the hip
extension then follows.

In the second case I am thinking of something like a boxer, who
initiates a punch with the torso turning as a block, and the initial
rotational drive coming from the hips. The shoulders/ribcage and
pelvis stay relatively aligned at first. Another example would be a
runner who needs to keep the torso/pelvis stable during unilateral
movements (stepping a leg forward, driving an arm forward), or a
swimmer who needs to keep from excessively flopping side to side in
the water.

This crude division can be further subdivided -- for example stability
emerges from dynamic coordination of a shifting body, requiring a
complex pattern of motor recruitment that may differ appreciably in
degree and order or firing. Even if the torso is held generally stable
it may be more efficient for an athlete to turn side to side a bit, or
it may be more appropriate to keep the body as fixed as possible.
Again, one must begin with a nuanced understanding of what demands
occur.

And this rudimentary 2-part distinction is also only for twists
imagined as side to side -- in sport there are also other directional
demands that occur, e.g. a twist as part of a throw, chop or golf
swing can also involve a diagonal pattern as the arms move downwards
or upwards.

Thus movement is complex and various types of rotation can occur
together (e.g. stability demands can be followed by force production
demands -- a "torso block" twist can be followed by a twist from the
waist) but it would be helpful to begin with an understanding of what
demands are actually required.

If we're using the basic 2-part scheme above, in my experience people
need the second type more often, and training the first type
inappropriately can often result in low back pain. McGill's research,
for example, showed that the seated twist was one of the worst
movements for exacerbating LBP. Additionally poor lumbopelvic control
during motion (one component of which might be considered rotational
stability) is correlated with LBP.

Krista Scott-Dixon
Toronto, ON
kristascottdixon@gmail.com

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