Random Friday Thoughts

Ok, I stole this idea from Eric Cressey at www.ericcressey.com, but so what, he has a great blog and I like it! Basically, every friday I will just be blogging about any random stuff that comes to mind that I believe is worth sharing, a rant I need to get off my chest or just plain funny!

1. Just had a client bring in a one page article from the Sydney Morning Herald about Pilates and core strengthening. It really irritates me when journalists with no training in exercise science write articles about it, such as the infamous Time magazine article that stated that exercise did not help weight loss. I mean WTF? But, not to digress, this article was actually well written and had some great resources such as physiotherapy researcher Paul Hodges. The information that Paul stated that I found interesting is that in back pain sufferers the areas of their brain that control movement actually undergo changes compared to non-back pain sufferers. I guess this means chalk one up for Kinesiology treatment as it focuses on the neurological control on muscles, not just the gross strength.

Another factor to consider with the abdominals and back pain that was mentioned in the article was that core muscles are used to support the spine. My contention to this is what abdominal muscles actually attach to the spine? The obliques attach to the ribs and the pelvis, the rectus attaches to the ribs and sternum and the pubic symphysis and the Transverses Abdominis attaches to the ribs, pelvis and pubic bone. No where do these muscles attach directly to the spine! The main muscles that connect directly to the spine are the psoas, quadratus lumborum, erector spinae and multifidus groups. The takeaway message here is that the abdominal muscles are not the be all of back pain training but need to be considered as part of a whole system. the pelvis is also vitally important and this is where the abdominal muscles really shine.

2. Great interview this week with Mike Boyle and Alwyn Cosgrove. These guys have been two of my biggest influences and this talk really has some great information that you should hear if you are involved at all in the fitness industry. Check it out @ http://www.thestateoffitness.com

3. Watching way too much family guy. That show is too funny! Check this out:

Well thats it for this week, got some great content for next week lined up so looking forward to sharing with you all soon!