Posture, we've all been told sometime in our lives to sit-up straight, stand-up soldier. Yes, good posture exhumes confidence and with regular strength training we can develop self-confidence in our athletes, especially girls.
The other aspect is how posture effects optimal acceleration and explosion in an athletic movement. Many sports require an athlete beat an opponent or catch a ball at a specific point. So angles are key aspects of catching a ball or being a would be tackler.
Where is this going?
Posture is tied to core and yea we have all heard it before. Well, its true core is vital and not just for posture, but deceleration explosive movements.
Posture is the ability to maintain correct spinal and muscular alignment whether sitting, standing. We will focus on the athletic stance.
The athletic stance requires a correct alignment and synergistic use of all muscles. Since our upper and lower body is linked via our spinal column we must use the core musculature correctly. This entails linking our musculature and bones. The upper body, more specifically the rib cage controls flexion and rotation of the upper body.
The lower body is held en tack by the hips or more importantly the glutes to maintain posture. The glutes are the most important spinal muscle especially for ground based sports and explosion. Remember we push through the ground to take off when sprinting or jumping. This mean the old saying, "Head over Chest over Knees over Toes". Keep this alignment and one has the best opportunity to create maximum power.
The glutes are the most powerful muscle in our body and with that hip extension is needed to reach maximal power. If we create excess flexion or extension anywhere along the spine then one can alter power production and change body mechanics running or jumping.
This is why posture is so important. When taking off from either a three-point or two-point stance one needs to push the ground and drive the arms, however athletes will raise their head or stand up. The best explosion is achieved through body alignment throughout the acceleration phase. Newton's Laws at there finest!
This body alignment allows one to use the reverse kinetic chain to it optimum. What is the reverse kinetic chain? Your glutes, hamstrings and low back musculature and any change this alter power production.
Throughout my 20 years of training athletes this is one of the number one things I need to correct.
That is why getting the glutes to fire is vital for optimal explosion and posture alignment. Keep this and you have a better chance of success down the road.
Remember you are only as your weakest component. Strengthen the weakness!
Look for our Exercise of the week section coming this week. Up first is glut prep.
See ya soon!
Train hard,
Todd
No comments:
Post a Comment