Thursday, February 17, 2011

Your Thoughts


A rotational plank with light force applied downward to the head by a partner.  It's from the neck strengthening video I just did for the ATSNJ.  Of course it's just not about coming up with dopey looking exercises, but I think this could have some value.  It could be done on a field with no special equipment.

11 comments:

Kev said...

Knowing my student population I'm not sure how many kids could hold this type of plank position for more than a handful of seconds. Also, seems like it might be a hard position for the shoulder to deal with.

Joe Przytula said...

Just the point I make in the video...not just the neck but the ability to create total body stiffness to brace for impact. The ability to plank is part of physical competency, and I detail the progression in the video. Based it on, "Concussion in Professional Football-Biomechanics of the Struck Player- Viano, Neurology '07".

Brian Green said...

Traditional planks tend to activate the muscles that are facing the ground. But what you got going on here by dissociating the hips which in turn naturally can make the trunk and upper extremities do a few different things as you depict. Loads of muscles and other fascial planes at work here. Would think some type of progression like this would be good in tennis, pitchers, and field hockey.
Joe, you got that book sorted for publishing? I got a few overseas buyers for ya....

Brian Green said...

Actually by changing the direction of the force to the head that changes all sorts of activation throughout the body. Especially when there's alot of dissociation going on...Basic stroke rehab and PNF stuff revisited...Coughlan you have any thoughts or you too busy publishing papers you nerd...!

Joe Przytula said...

The whole book thing has become an embarrassment. After I signed the contract I ASSUMED it was a done deal. Live and learn I guess.

Besides, I can learn from you guys much more than you will ever learn from me!

Kevin Moody said...

As a former wrestler, we did plain old neck bridging exercises to strengthen the neck. I know this is frowned upon in some circles now but as a 54 yr. old recreational athlete I suffer no ill affects.

But to address your exercise - I could see this quite useful for wrestlers if there are concerns about the traditional bridging exercises. I would also think this exercise could be a very advanced form of shoulder stabilization exercise.

Kevin Moody

Joe Przytula said...

Kevin- I love bridgeing, and wrestling in general for neck strengthening, and of course there is a progression to that too. But I needed something I could apply across the board for all contact/collision athletes- including a 300lb lineman, and I thought bridgeing a bit much. But you definately are following my mindset.

sal m said...

Love it for lacrosse. What would you think about adding resistance to the off arm with resistance tubeing?

Joe Przytula said...

If you were using it as a GH stability exercise you could.

Hannah said...

I am a student in Athletic Training. I know that neck strengthening is used a lot in wrestling, but I was wondering exactly how that proved beneficial in the sport. Also I noticed someone mentioned using it in lacrosse and I was wondering the same thing about that.

Joe Przytula said...

...in wrestling often one or both arm/leg combos are "tied up" and the head is called upon as a primary mover. Remember the neck musculature is part of the body core & dysfunction can influence shoulder mechanics in throwing the ball (lacrosse etc). In concussion/head injury prevention it is less clear. This exercise was part of series I came up with in response to, "CONCUSSION IN PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL:
BIOMECHANICS OF THE STRUCK PLAYER—PART 14", Neuroscience 8--07.