Monday 27 January 2014

Postural Awareness: Thoracic Mobility (Part 1)

Thoracic mobility is of major importance throughout sporting activity, more specifically any exercises or activities exhibiting overhead movements (pressing, pulling, shoulder rotation e.g. tennis serve or bowling in cricket) or where spinal position (neutral spine) is of importance in limiting injury risk (squatting, dead lifts, power cleans etc.).

Thoracic mobility is a common problem for athletes of differing sporting environments, the severity of which depends upon numerous factors, including: genetic characteristics, maturation, typical movement patterns required within a sporting discipline, the repetition of these movements, athlete knowledge and their training techniques designed to counterbalance any movement or postural discrepancies. A majority of thoracic problems stem from tightened anterior muscles in comparison to posterior, causing a forward/rounded fixation of the shoulders.

There are a number of exercises specific in returning or enhancing thoracic mobility. The video below showcases some examples which will improve overall thoracic mobility, in turn potentially enhancing more complex movements and minimising any associated injury risk.




Mitch

No comments:

Post a Comment