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Is Everything Bad?

October 22, 2005 11:09 AM

From Daniel in response to Sports and Spines.

"What activities do you recommend for fun then? I do a kung fu class that I have always been under the impression was good for me. We do a lot of functional exercises, etc and some light sparring.

When you say "sharp moves" I assume you mean the kinds made in sparring.

Aren't there sharp moves in all sports whose actions are performed rapidly and unpredictably? (Soccer, Basketball, Football, etc)

Are you then saying that all of these are bad?"

They can all be harmful if not done with good form and with weak stabilizers.

Sharp moves that put the joint against its stops are going to be harmful no matter how strong and stable the joint or spine is. So, don't go against the stops.

It is more harmful to do nothing, so play as though your life depends on it.

Then try to perfect form. That means locking the spine to the pelvis and holding the back in its strongest and most protective position, with its natural curvature (which is not necessarily the way you hold it now).

Bend at the hips, not much or not at all at the spine. A tight trunk, not unnaturally stiff, but strong and firm is the best position for generating any sports move.

I taught my grandson to throw a football last night with his rectus muscles and other trunk muscles with little arm action. He never threw it so far or with so little strain. And it had a nice tight spiral on the ball. This is true of hitting a baseball or golf ball and throwing any ball.

Great athletes do not have a "slouchy" look to them and they hold their sharp angles as they move. Much of their drive comes through the hips with a spine that is locked to the pelvis. They bend at the hips, not by flexing the spine. If you do any stretching of the back, don't flex your back, bend at the hips. I don't do back stretches and to do them in the morning with swolllen disks is asking for trouble.

So, Daniel, do all those things you like to do, your health and peace of mind depend on them, but learn to perfect form.

· Evolutionary Fitness

Comments

Posted by: Flower Online [TypeKey Profile Page] at September 12, 2006 3:23 AM

Physical loading should be selected individually

Best regards, Serg

Posted by: Serg [TypeKey Profile Page] at June 5, 2006 4:56 AM

Thanks Art.

Posted by: Daniel Chong [TypeKey Profile Page] at October 22, 2005 3:16 PM

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