Foam Rolling and Stretching Analogy: A Ball of Dough?

Using the foam roll as method of massage and myofascial release is common in the strength and conditioning field as well as in the fitness and personal training industry. It probably isn’t as common in the athletic training setting, particularly in the injury rehabilitation venue. However, as athletic trainers, w need to become more knowledgable [...]

Read Full Post »

Stretching vs. Stretching + Joint Mobilization to Restore Internal Rotation

The March-April 2010 issue of the Journal of Sports Health has several insteresting studies. This particular study compared the effectiveness of stretching vs. stretching with joint mobilization for posterior shoulder tightness measured by internal rotation loss. Now for starters, the hypothesis was interesting. Going into the study, the researchers hypthesized: “Shoulder internal rotation range of [...]

Read Full Post »

The Efficiency of the Leg Swing

Efficiency is defined as the following: “Skillfulness in avoiding wasted time and effort”. If we can accomplish two or three things at once with a drill, a stretch, and exercise or a treatment -  this would be considered efficient. I was reading The Essential Eight – Eight Mobility Drills Everyone Should Do by Mike Boyle. [...]

Read Full Post »

The Bridge from Stretching to Activity – Part IV

The final part of this series will briefly address the mental aspect in relation to functional flexibility. As has been discussed in this series, Functional Flexibility is being used as a bridge. It allows the body to ramp up and progress from one series of events to another. This progression also helps the mind as well prepare [...]

Read Full Post »

The Bridge from Stretching to Activity – Part III

Today we’ll continue with part III of our four part series discussing the topic of Functional Flexibility. If you pay close attention in the video, Gary Gray, PT alludes to what takes place at halftime during athletic contests that he’s involved in. He implies that during this “break time” , his athletes are still going [...]

Read Full Post »

The Bridge from Stretching to Activity – Part II

In my last post, I discussed the importance of bridging the gap from stretching to activity with some Functional Flexibility as illustrated and discussed by Gary Gray, PT. Otherwise, without this safe and progressive ramping up, aren’t we essentially allowing our athletes, industrial athletes, and patients to jump from one side of the river to the other [...]

Read Full Post »