Biomechanics

What is biomechanics?

Biomechanics is the study of the human body and how it moves in mechanical terms. This science is divided into two different areas of study.
Extrinsic Biomechanics looks at how the body moves or performs tasks, measures this and then tries to find the most efficient way to move to improve sports performance.

Intrinsic Biomechanics is the study of how the body is able to perform those tasks or movements in relation to the individual’s mechanical make-up.

Why use a biomechanics coach?

And who would benefit? If you have a recurrent injury I will be able to identify if there is any underlying reason why this keeps happening and will prescribe a series of exercises to halt this cycle and recover your full strength.

Biomechanics can help, low back pain, niggling knee, hip, shoulder pain and foot pain caused by:

  • Poor Posture
  • Stiffness/discomfort caused by sedentary lifestyles
  • Workers with very physically demanding roles – carrying , lifting, walking for example
  • Workers with sedentary jobs, i.e sat at a desk all day, or driving jobs
  • People who stand all day i.e teachers, retail staff.
  • Anyone whose job/lifestyle involves repetitive activity

Biomechanics for sports people

  • Improved Sports performance
  • Bodybuilders looking for symmetry (evenly balanced muscles)
  • Runners looking to improve performance and run with no pain
  • Sports People concerned about their inflexibility
  • Martial arts improved power to Strikes and kicks.

Optimize performance

If you are unable to perform a specific sporting or physical task, or your finding particular muscles on one side of the body are stronger than the other and there is no obvious solution, a Biomechanics Coach’s is able to advise if the cause is biomechanical in nature, and then prescribe corrective exercises for strength conditioning.
The benefits of Biomechanical Screening:

  • Evaluation of posture
  • Muscle Balance Testing
  • Muscle Spasm releases
  • Nerve Testing
  • Mobility evaluation

Following screening and a planned series of corrective exercises you will see:

  • Improved posture
  • Stronger core
  • Reduced injury risk
  • Reduced musculoskeletal aches and pain
  • Advanced strength and muscular development
  • Improved muscle endurance through greater stability
  • Optimal performance
  • Deeper understanding of your body
  • The ability to move more freely

How will I use Biomechanics to help you?

A full body biomechanical screening will establish your areas of mechanical strength and weakness and will spot any underlying posture problems that could be preventing you reaching your full fitness or strength potential.

A fully trained coach can screen the shoulders, spine, pelvis, knees, ankles, nerves and muscles to see if they are functioning correctly; if these are not working to capacity. The coach will then give a series of corrective exercises.

Intrinsic Biomechanics process explained

Biomechanics begins with a full body intrinsic biomechanical assessment which will identify any biomechanical dysfunctions and will enable a logical corrective programme to be prescribed to help correct any biomechanical problems and help optimize movement patterns enabling clients to function more efficiently.
This programme is delivered by first assessing the client’s needs. If the individuals biomechanics are not correct their movement patterns, muscle balance, posture and efficiency of movement will be compromised.

The progressions of a biomechanical model are as follows:

Phase 1: NORMALIZE
To ensure pelvis and spinal mechanics are normalized by correcting any biomechanical dysfunctions, muscle imbalances, nerve mobility problems and reducing any subclinical muscle spasms.

Phase 2: STABILIZATION PHASE
Focuses on improving the core stability of the individual

Phase 3: FUNCTIONALIZE
Prepares the body for movement focusing on feet, knees and shoulders. Makes sure you are fit to perform in your daily lifestyle activities and you are able to achieve your fitness goals. Maximizes your performance potential.
Once an individual has successfully moved through each phase along the ‘health continuum’, he or she will have the capacity to deliver efficient movement with less pain and risk of injury.