Movement represents the integrated functioning of many systems within the human body, primarily the muscular, articular (joint), and nervous systems. These systems form an interdependent triad which, when operating correctly, allows for optimum structural alignment, neuromuscular efficiency (coordination), and movement. Each of these outcomes is important in establishing normal muscular length-tension relationships, which ensure proper length and strength of each muscle around a joint, known as muscle balance.
Muscle balance is essential for optimal recruitment of force couples (application of forces from multiple muscles surrounding a joint) to maintain precise joint motion and ultimately decrease abnormal stress placed on the body tissues. All of this translates into efficient transfer of forces to accelerate, decelerate, and stabilize the interconnected joints of the body—what many refer to as the “kinetic chain”.
However, for many reasons, such as repetitive stress, impact trauma, or immobilization, dysfunction can occur in the muscular, articular, or nervous systems. If one or more of these systems are altered, changes in muscle balance, proprioception (the brain’s ability to identify where the body is in space and what movements are being attempted), muscle recruitment, and joint motion will follow suit. Alterations in structural alignment occur, creating decreased neuromuscular control (coordination), and sub-optimal movement patterns. The result is human movement system impairment. This can occur despite the athlete being able to perform at a high level because of the human body’s ability to develop compensatory strategies to accomplish the desired movements. However, the optimum level of performance attainable for the athlete (the athlete’s performance potential) cannot be reached in the presence of movement system impairments.
When human movement system impairment exists, some muscles are overactive, some muscles are underactive, and joints are affected. The terms “overactive” and “underactive” refer to the activity level of a muscle relative to another muscle or muscle group, not necessarily to its own normal functional capacity.
Any muscle, whether in a shortened or lengthened state, can be underactive or weak. Underactive muscles exhibit less than optimal force production capabilities. This results in an altered recruitment strategy and ultimately an altered movement pattern. Normal sequential activation of body parts to achieve maximum power will not occur, leading to “energy leaks” throughout the kinetic chain. Additionally, such alterations in muscle activity will change the biomechanical motion of the joint and lead to increased stress on the tissues of the joint, which eventually results in injury.
When a muscle is overactive, it is activated abnormally and fatigues more easily. Dynamic joint stabilization may be compromised, leading to increased risk of joint and soft tissue injury. In most cases, if an athlete has proper flexibility, balance, core strength, functional segmental strength, and neuromuscular efficiency, he or she should be able to perform functional, complex movements without compensating at the foot-ankle-leg, lumbo-pelvic-hip or cervico-thoracic-shoulder complexes. However, if the athlete has altered length-tension relationships (overactivity of a muscle or muscle group), altered force-couple relationships (underactivity of a muscle or muscle group with compensation from a secondary synergist), or joint dysfunction, we will see abnormal movements.
Our philosophy in conditioning athletes is to take into account the interrelated workings of the human body to identify the underlying factors that might be inhibiting athletic performance and increasing the risk of injury. Our program of athletic performance enhancement is designed to identify and eliminate muscle imbalance, joint dysfunction and potential energy leaks by initiating corrective exercise prior to implementing a progressive, systematic athletic performance program. The model that we use is an evidence-based approach for assessment and management of kinetic chain dysfunction with an emphasis on the neuromechanics of the spine. Our method is designed to uncover performance inefficiencies rooted in proprioceptive deficit, and provides a rationale for the application of performance restoration and enhancement strategies.
Program Components
I. Integrated Kinetic Chain Assessment
A 4-part assessment that identifies dysfunction in 3 kinetic chain sub- systems: 1) Sensorimotor; 2) Neural-Articular; 3) Myofascial-Skeletal.
1. Myofascial Balance Assessment 2. Sensorimotor Integration Assessment 3. Dynamic Stabilization Assessment
4. Spinal Stabilization Assessment
II. Kinetic Chain Reconditioning Strategies