thebodymechanic.ca

Purpose: summarize three recent papers looking at the running economy of running barefoot Three recent papers have been published looking at barefoot, vibrams, minimal shoes and cushioned running shoes and their associated running economy (i.e. energy cost associated with running at a specific speed). The research is a bit murky. [...]

Exceptions to the joint-by-joint approach – by Greg Lehman with commentary from Bret Contreras. by Greg Lehman and Bret Contreras Quick Background: The joint-by-joint (JBJ) approach, popularized by Mike Boyle and Gray Cook (link here), is a method of categorizing how each joint should ideally function and what tendencies a joint might have toward [...]

Purpose: Demonstrate a case of an altered nerve tension in a runner that may be exacerbated by their running technique. Case Details Female, late twenties, competitive runner (sub 20 minute 5km, 1:30 half marathon, 3:15 full marathon)

Audience: Therapists and Strength Coaches Purpose: To justify the use of a variety of exercises (even general exercises) for training, rehabilitation and injury prevention and question the application of movement specificity principles. The Gist of this Post: Specificity of training is an important component of rehabilitation and strength and conditioning but [...]

Audience: Anyone interested in Foam Rolling I recently read a review of some new foam rolling research (and then read the original paper as well) that concluded that foam rolling resulted in increases in knee flexion range of motion without any decreases in other areas of muscular function that are [...]

Audience: Runners and Therapists Background: Changing running form, particularly through the aid of minimalist or barefoot running, is often proposed to change the type of forces that the body experiences during running.  This in turn may influence of risk for injuries. Source of information: Zadpoor et al (2011), Lieberman et [...]

Repost:  I originally posted this in October 2011 but lost it in the great porn/spam database hack debacle of January 2012. Purpose: To highlight some key differences in impact loading in older runners versus younger runners

Audience: Therapists and strength coaches Purpose: Questioning a common belief with the use of simple joint mechanics and anatomy. Caveat of Ignorance: This post is probably one that is more about splitting hairs and quibbling about small details than saying anything ground breaking.  This post is unlikely to change your [...]

Below are Tensioner videos for your irritated and sensitive peripheral nerves. Warning: please only do this if your knowledgeable health care provider has taught these and specifically said that you should do these exercises. Gentler “Slider” movements can be seen at a previous post here: Slider Videos

Update: I am not the first to write about this area.  I found a great post by Todd Hargrove tackling the same topic and saying much the same (he does it more succintly and I address a few other areas as well).  His post is here: http://www.bettermovement.org/2011/does-excessive-sitting-shorten-the-hip-flexors/ The Tight Hip [...]

I guess proper double-blind studies with control groups are a necessity now as false positives seem to crop up everywhere ...

"Thank you Greg for introducing these ideas in the context of foam rollers and “to roll or not to roll” ...

I think that this is all great. But unless i missed it and I could have, what IS the solution ...

Sounds great Bret, I should probably get cracking and send you what I have. Greg

Thanks Anoop, Will read your site. greg

I was about to say somasimple would be a good place for you. And I just saw you there. Here ...

Good stuff Doc. Great questions. I look at it as --is it specific? --does it transfer? --is the result better or worse? The ...

Great post Greg. As I mention, I share many of these same thoughts. I'd be interested in contributing to the ...

Thanks Anoop, I thought the same thing about Boyle's justifications. Like I said, I'm open to foam rolling some areas ...

Hi Greg, I thought your criticisms were spot on. And I read your comments on Mike Boyle's forum. The only person ...