TRX Training

TRX Training met me square in Chicago this past weekend. This amazing piece of apparatus can train the entire body, young and old, fit or de-conditioned, injuried or going through post-rehabilitation. There is a niche and truly believe we have not begun to see the benefit and successes that the TRX can provide. Have I mentioned that the TRX is cost-effective too. Check it out and let them know I sent you to check it out.

Hyper Mobile

Hyper mobile: a condition also called loose joint. This is commonly found in young girls that are in gymnastics, cheer leading, dance, etc. Often the hyper mobility occurs in the lumbo-pelvic area, or hip area. Even Mary Lou Retton, Olympic Champion, has had a hip replacement (June 24, 2005) as a result of over use and ultimately hyper mobility. The damage to the joint area includes ligamentous structures of the joint, increase quantity of joint translation and muscular imbalances (Panjabi, 1992)

Joint Stability is critical to our young athletes. Too often today, we have middle/high school students actively participating in year round athletics. Their bodies are growing, and developing. We don't allow time for the muscles to "catch-up" to the skeletal development. Often conditions such as Osgood Slaughter creep in since they are not resting during the so-called "off-season", since there really is none.

If we are to have students competing year round, they need to have counter muscle strengthening to the repetition of their sport. Tennis players need to work rotator cuff muscles, rhomboids, scapula retraction and depression. Swimmers need to have a program where they stabilize their shoulder girdle, such as rotator muscles, and eventually deltoid muscles. So much can be done to assist young athletes if directed and carefully approaching their program design for strength and growth development.

Think about this......so many injuries are occurring now earlier than before. Joint stabilization is critical.