Athletic
Performance Enhanced By Kinesiology
No two athletes are alike. They
differ in body type, muscle composition, but more importantly, they differ
in their bio-mechanics. The focus of this review is to identify the
critical factors that promote optimal performance through perfect
bio-mechanics.
Each athlete has their own unique skeletal
structure, bone size, muscle type, flexibility, and mental discipline.
In the goal of peak performance without risk of injury, bio-mechanical
motion must be critically analyzed. This discipline of analysis is
called kinesiology.
Kinesiology is the intricate knowledge of
anatomical movement and balance of muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints.
The proper kinetic movement and balance enhances the athlete's performance
and conditioning potential.
Kinetic analysis is optimal when movement
is performed with the least possible number of muscles contracting.
However, when weakness of these primary muscles develop, the body provides
assistance from other muscles. Over-recruitment of muscles results
in musculoskeletal mal-alignment. Balanced musculoskeletal alignment
is achieved by keeping the muscular contractions down to the minimum.
The human body is known for its primary
five senses: touch, taste, sight, hearing and smell. The sixth
kinesthetic sense is usually forgotten. The kinesthetic sense is the
perception of motion and position.
Analysis of human motion is guided by a
number of principles. These principles focus on muscle contraction,
effect of gravity, and gravity's role upon the muscles.
The
five basic principles of muscle action are:
-
Muscles pull, they do not push.
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Muscles contract in the center.
-
Action of the muscle on a joint will be determined by its attachment
points.
-
Muscles create movement and/or maintain position.
-
Three types of contractions are possible: shortening (concentric),
static (neutral), and lengthening (eccentric).
Why
do some muscles strain or tear more frequently than others?
Unbalanced overtraining or under-training
of muscle groups lead to strains or tears, especially through quick
acceleration-deceleration movements. Another factor that contributes
to tearing is the number of joints a muscle, transverses. The joint
muscles such as the hamstrings (biceps femoris), quadraceps (rectus
femoris), calf (gastronemius), and groin (gracillis) are more likely to be
torn than single joint muscles. Muscles that have proper
conditioning, flexibility, and balance, have significantly lower incidence
of strain or tear.
Peak athletic performance is achieved
through proper instruction in bio-mechanics and conditioning. Most
importantly, the value of kinetic analysis is benefited only when the
athlete has encoded muscular movements to memory. Muscle memory is
identical to mind memory. Perform a physical movement repetitively
and the same phenomenon will occur. To quote a great athlete Roger
Hornsby, a lifetime .358 hitter, "A great hitter isn't born, he's made.
He's made out of practice, fault correction, and confidence."
Should you have any
further questions regarding this article, please direct your questions or
comments to "Ask
the Doctor" section.
Copyright © 2004 - 2010 Taras V.
Kochno, M.D. All Rights Reserved
Board Certified in
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
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