Exercise reviews Archives - TrackActive Pro

It is well accepted that the rotator cuff muscles of the shoulder are important in the prevention and rehabilitation of shoulder injuries. Among other mechanisms, these muscles may help to centre the humeral head in the glenoid and prevent superior migration during arm elevation. Furthermore, appropriate and progressive loading of the rotator cuff is a necessary stimulus for improving the health of pathological tendons.

As humans we walk and run to get from A to B. We don’t jump like frogs or kangaroos.

If we were training and rehabbing frogs and kangaroos then double leg squats would probably be the exercise of choice.

However, we are bidpeds that walk and run. This involves a unilateral stance phase, where all load is taken through just one leg. When it comes to athletes, they almost always jump or change direction with the majority of their load on one leg. Think of a high jumper, a long jumper or a rugby player cutting back inside his opponent.

The serratus anterior muscle is an important upward rotator of the scapular. Often, however, it is a rather neglected muscle in shoulder rehabilitation programs, with many practitioners focusing on the other important scapular upward rotator being the trapezius, and specifically the lower trapezius.

Plantar fasciitis can be one of the most difficult conditions for a practitioner and patient to manage. Treatment options range from biomechanical interventions, proximal and local strengthening, ice massage and stretching. While they can be effective, it is not uncommon that rehab fails and patients then look for other options such as extracorporeal shock wave therapy.

Gluteus medius weakness has been studied extensively and much of the research demonstrates that strengthening of this muscle can be beneficial for improving lower limb biomechanics and reducing symptoms in conditions such as patellofemoral pain.