Biomechanics and Physics combine to fight keep the Human machine upright, mobile and in a performance state of various guises. Corrective Exercise requires a sound understanding of all things that affect the postural shapes and functional capacities of the human body.

1. Presents“Important things nobody is telling us...” Gary Ward “Breaking the Mould of Human Anatomical understanding” www.anatomyinmotion.co.uk FOllow us on Facebook and Twitter

3. The ‘Centres of the body’

4. Joint centre

5. Muscle centre

6. Centre of mass

7. Centre of gravity / base of support

8. Centre of pressure

9. Centre dictates all motion, all compensation and all injury

11. The Centre Point Consider neutral at the following structures The foot The pelvic girdle The spine The shoulder girdle When each structure is in neutral – the body holds perfect posture. Postural anomalies exist away from neutral

13. Ribcage

14. Pelvis

15. STJJoint Centres Each joint moves in three planes of motion: in 3D Sagittal, Frontal and Transverse Joint centres enable the full range of motion to be experienced on both sides of centre It’s like a see saw If this was a scoliotic spine – neutral would be impossible without height adjusters in the heel Joints always have a centre – even if it’s away from neutral

16. Muscle Centre Muscle output and muscle length are both dictated by joint range of motion Less or more ROM at a joint affects muscle function negatively Muscle function is optimised by the joints potential for passing through centre Long and short muscles affect the body’s ability to return to centre and limit the body’s potential for optimum output

17. Centre of Mass Biomechanics in Clinic and Research; Jim Richards; 2008 A) The centre of mass of the body is the point where all of the mass can be considered to act B) The Body’s centre of mass lies approx 1” to 2” below the naval & roughly at L4/L5 C) It is the average point of mass / the sum of all joint and muscle centres D) Perfect neutral = perfect C of M = perfect posture E) Perfect Centre = ability to move away from and return to centre at all joints

18. Centre of Gravity & Base of Support A) Base of Support (B of S) is the area that covers the surface on which we stand inside of which the Centre of Gravity lies B) Our centre of gravity (C of G) sits inside the base of support (ideally in the centre) between the two standing feet C) As we stand on one leg, the C of G shifts in a stable foot to the centre point of the standing foot D) On one leg – B of S is the area around one foot E) Static and dynamic balance is achieved when C of M moves over a stable B of S F) When the C of M moves outside the B of S: we fall over unless we can react

19. Interaction of C of M, B of S & C of G Here the pronating right foot drives the C of M away The net result is that both feet are ‘off-centre’ , mobilising the C of M and affecting change in the whole skeletal posture of the body  Feedback from the feet is crucial to C of M alignment, Joint ROM and consequently Muscle length tension relationships

20. Centre of Pressure A) The centre of pressure is the mean average contact point on the sole of the foot as the foot passes from heel strike to toe off. B) The Centre of pressure tracks the position of the body’s centre of mass and therefore has an impact on the whole joint and muscle system as it orbits perfectly around the centre of mass to maintain a stable and efficient system C) The C of P gives us an accurate determination of joint motion in the gait cycle as informed by the feet

22. Human Beings can’t stand still!!! Our inherent unstable environment 60% above the waist 40% below Suggests instability Without an auto-supporting internal system; we would spend most of the time on our arse... And I don’t mean in a chair! If space: stand on one leg and experience it

23. Instability The key to understanding Motion anatomy is trusting & knowing INSTABILITY Instability mobilises our C of M Instability creates a ‘wobble’ or movement in all joints As the C of M moves away from our natural centre what stops the human body from falling over? Muscles learn to react and control this ‘wobble’ Muscles are responsible for managing the joint system and returning the body to centre

24. The Flip Side Anatomy in Motion’s rule of thumb: JOINTS ACT... MUSCLES REACT ...In motion... This defines the eccentric model of anatomy

25. A new tool? There are TWO sides to EVERY story Anatomy is no different Eccentric motion and concentric motion Stabilise and mobilise Static and dynamic We live in a world of polar opposites – black, white and shades of grey in between

26. Eccentric Motion A)Joints Act... Muscles React B)Lengthening muscles & 3dSling systems/contractile chains C)Dynamic – whole body D) Mobility  stability Eccentric motion is experienced by the body in motion – muscles and joints operate in this way and the gait cycle feeds the whole body with information

27. Concentric Motion A)Muscles Act... Joints react B)Shortening muscles (bicep curl) C)Isolated – muscle groups D) Stabilitylimiting mobility Concentric activation has no impact on C of M – communicates zero to the joint system -and thus leads to the poor posture we can associate with weight lifting

28. What are we observing? A )The interaction between our external environment and our internal environment. B)Internally joints and muscles react to each other’s stimulus YET both ultimately are reactors. C)They react to the world around us, to gravity, the ground and momentum The Centre’s of Mass, Pressure & Gravity are all relative to actionoutside of the human body. They react to external stimuli

29. A bit of energy biomechanics Shock, Vibration & Energy (measured in frequency waves) pass through the body and are largely responsible for the postural structure we hold. Our musculo-skeletal system is designed specifically to absorb this vibration otherwise known as shock Ultimately we are observing the body’s ability to record & measure VIBRATION The feet communicate the requirement of the rest of the body to the subconscious brain when we are in motion

30. Let the Feet do the talking! A)The feet measure and record vibration in the body B)The feet are the only part of the body in contact with the outside world when in motion (except crawling or sniping – though these too are eccentric motions: they just have a different C of P!) C)The Centre of pressure plots a specific path through the feet during gait that dictates our whole movement D) Our feet communicate our position in space and time to the subconscious areas of our brain responsible for our movement patterns

31. Let the Feet do the talking! Our Feet give FEEDBACK, Our Feet COMMUNICATE, Our Feet TALK to us... ... If we let them Let’s find out how?

32. Static stance On two legs my feet dictate the position of my C of M If one foot pronates more than the other, the C of M will shift away from the pronating foot – TRY IT That small pronation equates to a large amount of whole body motion in various planes of motion. The motion of the C of M demands a response from every other joint. Thus , a small amount of pronation creates a whole body response

33. Dynamic – InMOTION (gait) A) In the same way a small amount of excessive pronation in gait will create a whole body response. B) Different on one side to the other? (highly likely) C) This imbalance is far greater than a muscle imbalance . This is a whole body split. D) Each leg will react differently to the ground and require a different response from the whole body for each step This easily leads to compensation, injury, pain & reduced potential

34. Joints As discussed A) Joints move in three planes of motion (sagittal, Frontal & transverse) B) Joints have perceived range of motion (ROM) dependant on their awareness of ‘centre’ C) ROM is fully available when the joint is perfectly aligned D) ROM is reduced when centre is compromised

35. Muscles A) Muscles attach to bones and pass over joints B) In the Eccentric model where joints act and muscles react: Joint range inhibits potential muscle length NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND C) In the Concentric model where muscles act and joints react: Muscle length tension affects the joints

36. Correction This means: A) We can stretch muscles to get range at a joint (concentric model) OR B) Mobilise joints to stretch the muscles (eccentric model)

37. Our subconscious habits Scenario (B) takes into account and mobilises the C of M and all joints involved while (A) simply stretches a muscle for short term gain  What now happens to the stretched muscle when we get back on our feet? Old habits die hard: The unaltered gait pattern of the feet dictate the C of M, the surrounding joints and consequently the muscles too As it reverts back to it’s “in motion” length  You’ll need to stretch it again and again and again ...This, ironically, is exactly what we do....

38. Conclusion A) The C of M moves as we move, the C of G follows B) The C of P is relative to the foot’s ability to move through centre C) Pronation and supination for example sit either side of the foot’s centre – both being vital for effective human motion D) Thus the feet dictate the overall position of the centre of mass E) The feet have been tracked through the myofascia and are proven to be connected to the whole body & all joints  All joints orbit around the C of M When was the last time you exercised  your feet? Your clients feet?  Or more importantly taught feet to subconsciously find centre? Mobilising joints gives an extra dimension to your training programmes and results potential

39. Incidentally The next time someone suggests that the hips dictate the potential of all joints in the body or describes the feet as ‘slave joints’... ...have an open mind and remember there are always two sides to every story... An alternative to consider... AiM teaches 3d stretching, 3d Anatomy and the full ‘FINDING CENTRE’ course “...QUOTE LECTURE TITLE WHEN BOOKING BEFORE END OCTOBER FOR A 10% discount...” For more information visit www.anatomyinmotion.org