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Should We Stop Pursuing Studies Based on Mechanical Properties?

3/31/2018

0 Comments

 
A couple weeks ago, a video was discussed on some forums about allowing lumbar flexion during deadlifts. While I believe people have always had some lumbar flexion during deadlifts and squats, traditionally, many believe a "neutral spine" is required to safely load the spine during the movement. Recently, there has been an increase in education and awareness of the flexion motion of the lumbar spine during deadlifts and squats in order to help prove the normalcy of the movement pattern. It is in conjunction with the development and understanding of pain science research that we are learning how little abnormal movement patterns may matter. Does this mean we should change our complete philosophy of movements with strength training?
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A couple years ago, I wrote a blog about changing scapular positioning during pressing motions. Many recommend performing a bench press with scapulae adducted in order to improve stability and open subacromial space. I proposed that we should consider altering the positions by adding protraction at the end of the bench press and shrug at the end of the military press in order to fully apply the strengthening exercise to the motions of the muscle fibers. The serratus anterior and pectoralis muscles have the function of protraction (SA also upwardly rotates the scapula). Why should we ignore that component of the muscle's function? There was some significant rebuttal from some clinicians out there on the basis of potentially damaging the rotator cuff by decreasing subacromial space. However, with the development of research showing the lack of correlation between pain and pathoanatomical findings, any "damage" that might be done with this movement pattern (if it actually occurs) can be deemed insignificant.

Now, I am not suggesting that you immediately start training these alternative movement patterns with the load you typically use for your usual exercises. A new motion requires a new start. You will likely have to use significantly less weight when doing your first Jefferson curl compared to a typical deadlift. The same applies to the military press when you add a shrug at the top of the motion. Initially you will be weaker with these motions, but by training them, you will improve your strength and stability for positions that some might label as "unsafe" or "faulty."

​The real question that should come from these finding is should we decreasing our focus on research that emphasizes the biomechanical approach? If a RTC tear is not correlated with pain or possibly strength, why should we worry about how RTC tears develop? If a herniated disc doesn't correlate with pain or weakness, should we bother looking at studies focused on disc pressure? Personally, I believe we should still consider these concepts to some degree. Some disc herniations are significant enough to cause urinary retention. Arthritis may be significant enough to severely limit motion in a joint, decreasing the function of that joint. I am not saying that we should worry about every pathoanatomical finding either. I believe that there is possibly a middle ground to be met where pathology should still be considered, but shouldn't be the guiding force. I do not have the answer, but hopefully the research WILL continue in the mechanical area.

​Dr. Chris Fox, PT, DPT, OCS

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  • Home
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    • About Insider Access
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    • Return to Sport Essentials Course
  • Resources
    • Newsletter
    • Business Minded Sports Physio Podcast
    • Day in the Life of a Sports PT
    • Residency Corner
    • Special Tests >
      • Cervical Spine >
        • Alar Ligament Test
        • Bakody's Sign
        • Cervical Distraction Test
        • Cervical Rotation Lateral Flexion Test
        • Craniocervical Flexion Test (CCFT)
        • Deep Neck Flexor Endurance Test
        • Posterior-Anterior Segmental Mobility
        • Segmental Mobility
        • Sharp-Purser Test
        • Spurling's Maneuver
        • Transverse Ligament Test
        • ULNT - Median
        • ULNT - Radial
        • ULNT - Ulnar
        • Vertebral Artery Test
      • Thoracic Spine >
        • Adam's Forward Bend Test
        • Passive Neck Flexion Test
        • Thoracic Compression Test
        • Thoracic Distraction Test
        • Thoracic Foraminal Closure Test
      • Lumbar Spine/Sacroiliac Joint >
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        • Alternate Gillet Test
        • Crossed Straight Leg Raise Test
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        • FABER Test
        • Fortin's Sign
        • Gaenslen Test
        • Gillet Test
        • Gower's Sign
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        • Posteroanterior Mobility
        • Prone Knee Bend Test
        • Prone Instability Test
        • Resisted Abduction Test
        • Sacral Clearing Test
        • Seated Forward Flexion Test
        • SIJ Compression/Distraction Test
        • Slump Test
        • Sphinx Test
        • Spine Rotators & Multifidus Test
        • Squish Test
        • Standing Forward Flexion Test
        • Straight Leg Raise Test
        • Supine to Long Sit Test
      • Shoulder >
        • Active Compression Test
        • Anterior Apprehension
        • Biceps Load Test II
        • Drop Arm Sign
        • External Rotation Lag Sign
        • Hawkins-Kennedy Impingement Sign
        • Horizontal Adduction Test
        • Internal Rotation Lag Sign
        • Jobe Test
        • Ludington's Test
        • Neer Test
        • Painful Arc Sign
        • Pronated Load Test
        • Resisted Supination External Rotation Test
        • Speed's Test
        • Posterior Apprehension
        • Sulcus Sign
        • Thoracic Outlet Tests >
          • Adson's Test
          • Costoclavicular Brace
          • Hyperabduction Test
          • Roos (EAST)
        • Yergason's Test
      • Elbow >
        • Biceps Squeeze Test
        • Chair Sign
        • Cozen's Test
        • Elbow Extension Test
        • Medial Epicondylalgia Test
        • Mill's Test
        • Moving Valgus Stress Test
        • Push-up Sign
        • Ulnar Nerve Compression Test
        • Valgus Stress Test
        • Varus Stress Test
      • Wrist/Hand >
        • Allen's Test
        • Carpal Compression Test
        • Finkelstein Test
        • Phalen's Test
        • Reverse Phalen's Test
      • Hip >
        • Craig's Test
        • Dial Test
        • FABER Test
        • FAIR Test
        • Fitzgerald's Test
        • Hip Quadrant Test
        • Hop Test
        • Labral Anterior Impingement Test
        • Labral Posterior Impingement Test
        • Long-Axis Femoral Distraction Test
        • Noble Compression Test
        • Percussion Test
        • Sign of the Buttock
        • Trendelenburg Test
      • Knee >
        • Anterior Drawer Test
        • Dial Test (Tibial Rotation Test)
        • Joint Line Tenderness
        • Lachman Test
        • McMurray Test
        • Noble Compression Test
        • Pivot-Shift Test
        • Posterior Drawer Test
        • Posterior Sag Sign
        • Quad Active Test
        • Thessaly Test
        • Valgus Stress Test
        • Varus Stress Test
      • Foot/Ankle >
        • Anterior Drawer
        • Calf Squeeze Test
        • External Rotation Test
        • Fracture Screening Tests
        • Impingement Sign
        • Navicular Drop Test
        • Squeeze Test
        • Talar Tilt
        • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome Test
        • Test for Interdigital Neuroma
        • Windlass Test