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Muscular

Prevention and Management of Osteopenia/Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis can be defined as decreased bone mass and a shift in the structure of bone, resulting in a reduced quality of bone (Tufts, 2011). The quality of bone cannot be assessed, however, bone mineral density (BMD) can be screened using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans to determine mineral content of bone (Tufts, 2011)….

Limitations of Low Carbohydrate Diets

Modern Western diets tend to be rich in macronutrient sources from refined carbohydrates. In this author’s last assignment, the application of very low carbohydrate diets (VLCD) was explored as a means of treating metabolic syndrome (i.e., diabetes, poor blood lipid profiles, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and decreased insulin sensitivity) (Song, Lee, Song, Paik, & Song, 2014)….

Aging and Grip Strength

Aging brings with it, steady decrements in strength. Its etiology is connected to multiple sources such as inactivity, down-regulated hormonal levels, poor nutritional habits and sarcopenia (Kenney, Wilmore, & Costill, 2012). Two of the most debilitating consequences associated with aging are losses of hand dexterity and grip strength. In the following paragraphs I would like…

Thoracic Spine and Mobility Drills

In this author’s last 2 posts, Vladimir Janda’s upper crossed syndrome (UCS) was explored, in addition to its relationship with the chronic musculoskeletal pain cycle (CMPC) (Page, Lardner, & Frank, 2010). Furthermore, stability and mobility restrictions, two central constituents of UCS, were covered as it related to the thoracic regions. As a means of appreciating…

Upper / Lower Crossed Syndrome, and Motor Control Tests

In this author’s last post, Vladimir Janda’s lower crossed syndrome (LCS) and upper crossed syndrome (UCS) were explored, in addition to their relationships to the chronic musculoskeletal pain cycle (CMPC) (Page, Lardner, & Frank, 2010). Furthermore, mobility restrictions, one constituent of UCS and LCS, were covered as it related to the thoracic and hip regions,…

Screening for Upper and Lower Crossed Syndrome

Vladimir Janda was a physician who, in the late 1970s, found aberrant and unusual postures, motions, joint actions, and muscle imbalances within the human body. He termed the phenomena as lower crossed syndrome (LCS) and upper crossed syndrome (UCS) (Page, Lardner, & Frank, 2010). Awareness of UCS and LCS is imperative, as the aforementioned syndromes…

The Joint-By-Joint Approach: A Road Map to Movement Dysfunctions

Muscles and joints have the capacity to activate and move individually, with a particular action; a concept often echoed within the field of exercise science and academia. Although not an entirely fallacious statement, the body, however, does not abide by such rules when interacting with the environment. Instead, muscles, joints, fascia, and the sensorimotor system…

My Use of the Functional Movement Screen (FMS)

Dysfunctional movement compromises efficiency, and contributes to the initiation/exacerbation of pain (Page, Lardner, & Frank, 2010). The functional movement screen (FMS) attempts to detect movement patterns that are faulty and/or painful, as a means of reducing chances of injury, and improving durability (Cook, Burton, Hoogenboom, & Voight, 2014). However, the FMS is not without criticism, and some…

Exploring the Functional Movement Screen

Movement impairment has been thought to live within a perpetual cycle, feeding deeper dysfunction and pain through the passage of time. Such a cycle is known as the chronic musculoskeletal pain cycle (CMPC) (Page, Lardner, & Frank, 2010). Knowledge of the aforementioned phenomenon demands vigilance and a proactive sensibility from the exercise professional when training…

Movement Dysfunctions and Assessment Techniques

Physical function may be thought of as goal-directed movement, considered a conduit between physical actions, commonly defined as movement, and the environment in which it occurs (Cech & Martin, 2012). If movement is inhibited or impaired, an individual may be less able to participate in goal directed movement, in a safe and efficient manner. Additionally,…