A Philosophy of Strength and Health

I think OK GO says it best. I leave you with the lyrics of "Here It Goes Again" to say it for me. Thanks, Wylie, for telling me about this latest "functional training" method.

This is a link to an interview of cyclist Joe Papp by Dr. Dawn Richardson, posted on the VeloNews website. If you think doping isn't dangerous and doesn't mess with your physiology, you might be compelled to think again after reading this. Thanks to Bobber for posting a link to the story on the STLBiking message board.

Blogger now supports direct upload and posting of video within your blog. Pretty easy with a small clip. Not so easy with a larger file, for some reason.

Vern Gambetta posted this quote on his blog this morning: “The glory of great men should always be measured by the means they have used to acquire it.” Francois de La Rochefoucauld Thanks, Vern.

Well, here it is . Straight from the NSCA's latest journal. Just knock me out. With all due respect to my colleagues, I do not use this exercise. With anyone. Even my 75 y.o. mother-in-law or my back patients. In my mind it promotes the following dysfunctional movement patterns: 1. Posterior positioning of center of gravity with a squat-like movement. No one can move like this in the real world (without the stability ball holding them up)--they will fall over backward. 2. Lack of slight, normal torso/hip flexion (with lumbar stabilization) that should occur with squat-like movement. 3. Lack of ankle dorsiflexion that should occur as a part of an entire lower extremity sequencing with any squat movement. Yes, dearie, those knees need to move over the toes. It intrigues me that someone would use this with anyone that remotely resembles an athlete. Why not just bodyweight squats holding one dumbbell or a medball at the chest? I have gotten away from ever using DBs in...

In the next two months, the road cyclists will head to the gym to begin their off-season resistance training in earnest. From my point of view, for the majority of cyclists, the value in resistance training is to hold your body together so you can ride your bike most efficiently (transfer power in the saddle and out) and combat the postural and overuse / muscle imbalances (general wear and tear) that long term riding and training can bring on. It can also be good cross training to get your ass out of the saddle, when you need some active rest. And don’t forget the general lean body mass and bone density benefits. By learning to resistance train appropriately, one develops lifetime physical competencies that benefit your general musculoskeletal health and function as you age. There might be some women who could benefit from some increased general strength, particularly upper body. There may be some men or women who lack the torso stability to efficiently transfer power ...

Albert's first at bat (above). He had an off night. Wainright pitched 8 solid innings, but gave up a home run in the ninth. Interesting to note, that Wainright batted 8th, not 9th. Dodgers won, 2-1. Eckstein seemed to have the most comprehensive, active warm up. Didn't notice to many other guys doing much more than the traditional stuff. Wonder what they do inside, prior to taking the field? Whoop it up on the Powerplate? Game time temps were in the mid to high 90s. I really wanted to Build-A- Fredbird , but didn't. That's a hint for you, G, and Sister.

Found this completely crazy story and image in a BoingBoing post by Mark Frauenfelder . Read the original story by Ron Rosenbuam from the January 15, 1995 New York Times Magazine . I find posture fascinating, but this takes the cake. Who knew the origins of somatotype had such creepy roots in mid-20 th century American social science and that all of these famous Americans were photographed nude as freshman entering Ivy League schools? Apparently the Smithsonian has since (1995) destroyed the remaining negatives and photos from the collection of William Sheldon's papers.

Who uses wall slides (wall squats with a swiss ball behind the back and a small ball between the knees) as a regular part of return to function/sport, LE strengthening exercise? What aspects of this exercise make it useful in rehab? Is it particularly helpful with any specific dx or issue? Why would you prefer it to a basic sit-to-stand or teaching someone a bodyweight squat? Help a sistah out here! (Personal trainer-types feel free to chime in!)

Just spent a challenging, but rewarding 50+ hour week back in an ortho-sportsmed clinic. Talk about cobwebs....When was the last time I actually evaluated someone with a true L5/S1 myotome strength deficit or used parrafin? Everyday I was reminded how and why my practice patterns and ideas have evolved into what they are at this point. But I was also reminded by some wonderful patients that I am a pretty damn good therapist. PTs in this country face some real barriers in typical outpatient clinic settings. The billing system is just one of them. Really, the current method of billing (CPT codes, time based) needs to be destroyed. Why can't we just bill a flat fee per visit--and do what we, as professionals, think is appropriate without any interference or question? That's what I do with my personal patients--they are all self-pay and I charge LESS than the average itemized PT visit, spending the full visit time, one-one-one with the patient. Why insurance companies refus...