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EXERCISE

Shoulder Instability: Solutions and Interventions

Shoulder instability is a common cause of pain within the glenohumeral (GH) joint, particularly among young athletes (Heyworth & Kocher, 2013). Although the GH joint allows a greater arc of motion compared to other joints in the body, it is also the most commonly dislocated joint in adolescents and adults (Heyworth & Kocher, 2013). Treating…

Understanding Neck Pain

Neck pain is a prevalent musculoskeletal complaint, reaching as many as 30%-50% of the adult population (Cagnie, Struyf, Cools, Castelein, Danneels, & O’Leary, 2014). Additionally, 50%-85% of those who do experience neck pain continue to report discomfort following 1-5 years after the onset (Leaver, Maher, McAuley, Jull, Latimer, & Refshauge, 2013). Thus, understanding the nature…

Maintaining Neutral Spine During the Split Squat

Janda noted a unique relationship between the skeletal system, muscular system, and the central nervous system (CNS); movement has a direct relationship to, and is a product of, interactions of the aforementioned systems (Page, Lardner, & Frank, 2010). Furthermore, distal joints and related movement patterns are inexorably affected by proximal joints and associated motor control….

Scapular Dyskinesis, and the Sensorimotor System

Physical function may be thought of as goal-directed movement, considered the link between physical actions, colloquially defined as movement, and the environment in which it takes place (Cech & Martin, 2012). Such characteristics are essential, as they permit individuals to survive, adapt, and learn within the environment (Cech & Martin, 2012). If movement is inhibited…

Biomechanical and Neurological Approaches to Movement Dysfunction

Physical function may be thought of as goal-directed movement, considered the link between physical actions, colloquially defined as movement, and the environment in which it takes place (Cech & Martin, 2012). Such characteristics are essential, as they permit individuals to survive, adapt, and learn within the environment (Cech & Martin, 2012). If movement is inhibited…

Upper Crossed Syndrome and Motor Control Principles

Extended periods of seated positions (i.e., desk-based work) can cause deleterious changes in posture over time. Such changes are characterized by a flexed thoracic spine, facilitated pectoralis major and minor muscles on the anterior side, in addition to facilitated upper trapezius and levator scapulae muscles on the posterior side. Conversely, the deep cervical flexors of…

Tensegrity and Spinal Stability

Muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and human movement do not exist in individualized vacuums; they share a complex and interdependent relationship to one another as a means of achieving biological homeostasis, and ultimately, survival. One can visualize such co-dependence and function through the tensegrity model. Tensegrity, at its root, states that structures as small as…

Designing Weight Loss Programs

Obesity and overweight are widespread, and considered a global health crisis (Foss & Dyrstad, 2011). The aforementioned conditions also increase the risk of high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, stroke, and premature mortality (Foss & Dyrstad, 2011). Moreover, obesity contributes to approximately 120,000 preventable deaths every year in North America (Thorogood…

Obesity Management: Exercise and High Protein Nutrition

Obesity and overweight are prevalent, and considered an epidemic in the Western world. Not only are the conditions widespread, overweight and obesity are also associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality (Meckling & Sherfey, 2007). Inactivity, in addition to poor nutrition, contributes to the aforementioned conditions, and is estimated that over 57% of Canadians…

Shoulder Post-Rehabilitation

In the author’s practice as a Kinesiologist, the terminal goal of each client’s program is to improve the strength and quality of functional/everyday motions: pushing, pulling, squatting, lifting, carrying, and locomotion. After a client has been cleared by a medical professional to engage in exercise, a key step in the client’s post-rehabilitation (PR) program is…