Mechanism of injury

Assuming there has not been a traumatic event, an athlete’s knee, ankle, or foot pain may be the result of a problem located anywhere along the kinetic chain. There is a growing body of evidence showing a high relationship between hip weakness and lower extremity injuries.

Why hip strength matters and What you can do…

The muscles of the hip provide controlled mobility, strength, and stability to the lower leg in 3 planes of motion (frontal, sagital, and transverse). Loss of stability, strength, or mobility in any one of these planes may result in abnormal stresses being placed on soft tissue (ligaments, muscles, tendons, etc) and joints.  When  Continue reading »

There are several known benefits to strong flexible hips.     Some of those benefits include:

• Decreased knee, ankle, and foot pain
• Decreased low back, hip pain
• Increased general mobility
• Improved core stability
• Increased potential power, agility, and speed
• Improved posture
• Improved balance
• Decreased incidence of overuse lower extremity running injuries
• Decreased incidence of ankle sprains

A forethought…

Before we begin, it is important that you realize that your body is a series of muscles, tendons, ligaments (cables and levers) and joints (links) working together in a coordinated fashion. This mechanical system is known as the kinetic chain.  When the system is working well, the forces generated at one joint can be efficiently transferred to successive joints resulting in injury free movement.  When there is a deficiency (weakness, tightness, instability, injury, etc) at any segment, compensatory reactions throughout the kinetic chain may occur resulting in injury, chronic pain, weakness, instability, etc. anywhere along the chain.  Of course, other systems (neural, fascia, endocrine, etc) play a major role in all bodily functions but their role is beyond the scope of this article.  Also, it is important to note that the body is a 3 dimensional entity and the body must be stable, strong and mobile in all 3 planes.  All muscle forces must be generated from a stable foundation (in the lower extremity it is usually the foot or hip).  The forces generated act on and through the kinetic chain resulting in injury free movement.  Over the next few weeks, I will explain in greater detail each of these benefits and offer you suggestions on how you can improve both your hip flexibility and strength.  Interested?

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Train hard and fall softly.