Todays thought comes in 2 parts as is related to posture. Tennis players adopt a unique posture due to the demands of the game. This brings about questions
1. is this posture correct for tennis or is there are more optimal posture (like the natural position of joint)
2. can it changed to bring about better function, performance and injury prevention?
the tennis engineer
CLICK HERE TO VIEW ANALYSIS -> Maria Kirilenko Movement Analysis
With Maria Kirilenko doing so well at the French Open this year it seemed fitting to share this analysis of her in a defensive situation on the backhand.
Maria Kirilenko (Photo credit: Carine06)
As with many tennis players Maria has had a fair share of injuries and even in this image sequence she wears a knee bandage/support. The question for me is why has her body got to this point? Of course there will be injuries but optimizing the body to perform the actions that are required can drastically reduce the injury potential whilst maximizing the output.
Only a few minutes ago Maria called the trainer for a lower back issue in the first set of her match with Azarenka. Commentators also mentioned that yesterday she had a shoulder issue. Coupling this with a possible knee problem in this analysis the question inflates to whether these are isolated injuries are they in fact interlinked and the injury is just moving around the body as one is addressed?
I believe it is that later and that to truly solve Maria’s issues the body function must be considered as a global entity and that areas of limited movement and/or dysfunctional posture will impact the possibilities at other joints in the system.
This could mean, for example, that poor hip function could lead to a rotator cuff injury as the shoulder works harder to achieve the output than it needs to.
As I have eluded to in past posts all performance process (tech,tact, phys,ment) are linked and influence each other. Therefore all must be considered in analysis although assumptions maybe made it is closer to the truth if all are considered.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW ANALYSIS -> Maria Kirilenko Movement Analysis
In the analysis I include some training exercises related to the areas that have been considered aimed at developing the patterns and enhancing performance. It must be said that the exercises alone will serve this purpose although it is important to understand , as in the case of Maria Kirilenko, that the function of the body and the adopted postures must not carry limitations and the transmissions of forces are efficient and seamless. I suggest and recommend that this is addressed prior to implementing any training program.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW ANALYSIS -> Maria Kirilenko Movement Analysis
I hope you enjoy the analysis and please contact me if you are interested further or have any questions.
Regards,
the Tennis Engineeer
CLICK HERE TO VIEW ANALYSIS -> Maria Kirilenko Movement Analysis
The table I am sat is wobbly and to say the least annoying. I look around for an obvious solution to the problem presented. I find an old magazine, newspaper or bear mat and I fold the object to a suitable size and place it under the affecting leg. The table ceases to wobble (for now) and my issue is solved. Until of course the object deteriorates or the dog chews it or it is removed for some reason and the table reverts back to its old self of wobbliness. the table has no way of adapting to this situation as it has no mind but it does rock to its so called or perceived centre. It is just when the table is called upon to be functional the problem presents itself. The degree of the problem is also a question in that the problem has to become suitably bad before anything is done about it.
The human body can be likened to this situation where there is a compensation or an inhibition but the body can adapt to function (or perceive to function) until one day it decides no. The body adapts to what the requirements are but the degree at which it can perform the requirements are dependant on how the body currently functions. If it functions optimally (or as close to as possible) the outcome is arguably good in the required function. At least it gives the person the best possible chance.
We could simply replace the table with a new one that doesn’t wobble but in the case of the body this isn’t a solution (apart from in obvious situations and I am not referring to enhanced aesthetics).
In my work as a tennis coach I have been presented with a child who is struggling to serve due to techniques I have instructed previously. Not that these techniques are wrong but since I have been with Anatomy In Motion (www.anatomyinmotion.co.uk) I have recognised that there is no wonder the serve is struggling. I have looked at segments of the chain where there are problems and low and behold a foot issue presented itself where the player struggled to absorb weight into the foot when performing the serve and had to constantly reposition the foot to accommodate the action. This led to mishaps up the chain and hence affected the outcome of the serve. Attention to improving the foot function allowed a smoother transition of weight into and up through the serve.
In this case there was no wedge to place under the wobbly table but to educate the body to function optimally (or closer to optimum) to improve the serve.
There are other situations where I have seen children essentially being prescribed wedges to stop their table wobbling. What happens when the wedge is moved? the table wobbles again. This is the same for the child with a wobble stopping wedge. Once it is removed the body reverts back.
As a sports coach I am starting believe in a relationship between body and requirement and that the body is our primary tool. We need allow time to focus on allowing the body to function optimally if it is not and this will help players in their development.
The question is do we as coaches need to skill up our knowledge in body function, posture, gait etc or do we outsource this to another professional? I have chosen to delve into this subject as it fascinates me. For me this is a definite requirement of the modern day athlete but who is responsible for it?
The Tennis Engineer 