Thought I would give an A.T. perspective on Vern's post for today:
http://www.functionalpathtrainingblog.com/2009/11/more-than-an-exercise.html
Vern states he would not use the Bulgarian squat for football, soccer, or hockey. He is correct, groin strains & athletic hernia are prevelent in these sports, and alludes to this squat contributing to it.
While it might be appropriate as a lead up to a SLS (single leg squat), it's important to move on. The problem begins when you load the movement. The trail leg is used to stabilize, creating isometric contractions about the hips & pelvis that are not conducive to rythmic, flowing movement. Of course you can argue that isometric contraction happens naturally in a traditional SLS, and you would be correct. But, in the Bulgarian Squat, that stabilization is initiated top down since it is traveling through the pelvis first- "neural confusion" if you will.
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3 comments:
Joe,
Do you have a link for us that will show in research that the Bulg. squat is in direct corelation to an increase in hernias in these sports specifically? That would be great info to be armed with for future discussions especially since I will be giving a lecture on the LE at Syracuse University in June 2010 at the NYSATA conference.
Thanks if you have it, If not don't worry about it.
Have a great weekend joe!!
No such research Jonathon, my comments were theoretical. Similar to my feelings on this TRX stuff that is popular. A lot of isometric stabilization so you can do one particular movement. Not sure how much of that carries over to the athletic field. Not that there is anything wrong with Bulgarian squats, or TRX...it all depends on the context in which they are being used, just like any other exercise. Vern was not telling us to avoid them, just questioning the resurgence of them 20 years later (I have an idea where this is coming from).
In general, I think this sports hernia thing has a lot to do with the "training in a phone booth" stuff that is prevalent, gooving incorrect patterns.
Interesting post Joe....I think you guys are right on with this position/movement contributing to groin pathology. I've noticed that individuals with repetitive stress injury at pubic symphysis will not tolerate this activity at all. Perhaps the hip flexed trail leg extended place significant shear in this area....
On another note I'll confirm that Dr.Coughlan has been over the moon since his debut on your blog the other week...we're spreading the word on your blog over here...keep it up!
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