​Just wanted to expand on this a little. 

First, this exercise is not new. Recently it's been called the Copenhagen Adduction exercise while ten years ago it was called the Bunkie exercise for the Medial Stabilizing Line. Prior to that, I'm sure it's had its fair share of names as well. 

Many currently use it for adductor strengthening while others use it to isometrically load the MCL during early stages of rehab. Some use this exercise for torso control and others may even use it for the shoulder. In my opinion, it may be one of many valuable rudimentary  exercises to include in a GPP circuit. 

What's most important though, is to use it appropriately. While the goal would be to use the longest possible moment arm for the longest reasonably possible duration, many in early stages of rehab are unable to do so. There simply is no way to hide it. 

So for very early stages of adductor or MCL strength loading, it's best to keep the moment arm as short as necessary and choose the appropriate starting point for duration. If starting with a ten second hold, each subsequent repetition would be one second less in duration. A countdown. 10, 9, 8, 7, 6....and so on.

As one progresses, each subsequent repetition can then be performed with a slightly longer moment arm, where the line of force moves distally. Again, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6...and so on.

From here we have several options. Once the individual is able to load for strength distally, it would be appropriate to load for endurance. Therefore, starting distally, if the athlete is able to load for five seconds (for example), then they may be able to perform 5 x 5 sec holds while shortening the moment arm with each subsequent repetition. 

From here, it is possible to progress with a longer duration first repetition (i.e. 6, 5, 5, 5, 5) as well as a minimizing the amount of moment arm shortening so that the line of force stays as distal as appropriately possible.

The possibilities are endless. This is not to make things more complex, it is to make the exercise more appropriate. It's simple progressions and regressions with the goal of progressive adaptation.

Years ago I wrote about exercises for plantar sided foot pain. Much of what I thought back, then I still think today. However, there are two key principles I overlooked that currently find very important. That is,

• Midfoot mobility is as important as great toe extension. 
• We need to strengthen the foot in toe extension.

For the former, many are aware of the importance of extension of the first metatarsophalangeal joint. It is not uncommon to see many ways of improving mobility of said joint. What I have learned over the years however, is that attacking first MTP mobility is futile in the absence of medial arch mobility. That is, in order for the first metatarsal to clear room for the phalanx to extend, the joints upstream must be in doing their job well. It's not uncommon to see arthopathy and spur formation at the junction between the cuneiform and first metatarsal, so before we aggressively stretch and mobilize the first MTP joint, we need to ensure that we give respect to all joints of the foot and ankle. One isn't more important than the rest.

As for the latter, it was noted by Thomas Michaud that collectively we often strengthen the foot in neutral and/or plantar flexion. And that we often fail to do so in toe extension, if not eccentrically in toe extension. Concentric toe flexion exercises are common. So are eccentric toe extension exercises. What aren't so common are isometric and eccentric exercises, in closed kinetic chain, and in toe extension. These are key in athletics/sport and they are paramount in fall prevention in the elderly.

In the video below are some progressions of low level foot strengthening exercises. For the complete videos, simply go to my youtube page. And for those curious, I'm using Toe Spreaders from The Foot Collective. 

I stopped writing several years ago. It wasn't a big deal, it just wasn't there. The waters stood still so to speak. Looking back, there came a point in time where I had nothing to say. Not that I did before - touché - but I didn't enjoy writing if I felt like I needed to post for the sake of posting.

Today, we exist - I wish I could say "live" - in an era where posts are forced. Social media used to be a destination, today it exists as an avenue. Be it Instagram, Facebook, whatever. I would say blogs as well but in this circle of life, it's easier now to short post on IG than it is to write a blog. Not too long ago, blogs evolved from diary and journal entries to opinion pieces to "scientific" regurgitations. There was a lot of cut and paste. No shortage of references, simply a shortage of thought.    

To each their own. But for me, the ink ran dry. 

I learned a lot over the last decade. I learned how to chase. And I learned first hand the effects of "the chase." It was a decade of accumulation. One where in the first half of the decade my thoughts and opinions were shared along the way. In the second half, all I had were thoughts. It got to me. 

Some use the phrase #alwayslearning. Again to each their own. I prefer sometimes learning. And sometimes living. Sometimes thinking. And sometimes reflecting. Sometimes relaxing.

And sometimes writing. I guess.

I think we can learn a lot from each other. Especially when we openly share our thoughts and opinions. But I think we need to be more honest with ourselves and actually have thoughts and opinions of our own.  We need not be afraid to be wrong. More often than not we're almost right. But be ourselves we must.

If the above is indicative of anything, it is this: My mind is spinning, bordering on gibberish. And the urge to write is there. Maybe it's to organize my thoughts. Possibly to solidify my opinions. Regardless, it is there.  For me. 

I knew this day would come.

In this video, I performed Prone Kettlebell Rows (isometric holds) and progressed in bell size until form significantly diminished.

A focus on "pinching the shoulder blades" - or retracting the scapula - would have disallowed the load I was able to achieve.  This would be very clear to those who perform loaded rowing movements on a regular basis.  As mentioned above, a fixed scapula appears to generate the most force production. 

Whether dragging sleds, playing tug of war, or helping someone from falling off a cliff, most likely do not focus on pinching the shoulder blades. Particularly with heavy loads, the shoulder girdle generally assumes a centrated position and holds itself there with an isometric contraction enabling the remaining segments of the upper extremity to function in phasic contraction. Including the lower extremities (thinking dragging sleds).

This is why yielding isometric holds are being utilized above. 

This brings us to Bat Wings. Dan John states that the aim with his exercise should be indeed to squeeze the shoulder blades together. Often as hard as possible. Those who are familiar will admit the ease of which loads heavier than the exercise intends may be used. Thus, my preference is the use of the FRC principle of End Range Lift-offs ​and perform Bat Wings in such position.  

The aim here is short-range neurological control and force production. Or, increasing the surface area under the left side of the arc of the length-tension relationship curve. 

A reminder that requisite mobility precedes. Meaning, adequacy with no external load prior to the use of external load. Elevating the kettlebell/dumbbell - a minimum of 7 inches off the floor facilitates proper Lift-off starting position, but more importantly, prevents the use of heavier loads than would be effective. Bracing and maximal irradiation are a necessity here.

At the end of the day, however, the system - a set of things interconnected - will "produce its own pattern of behaviour over time." (​See @drmchivers for more information on Systems Thinking.) And the above, are ways of training its component parts. 

One thing I'm trying to do more of is to say the word "don't" a lot less.

I've learned along the way that instead of saying "don't do this" or "don't do that", it's more effective to give the person in front of you an alternative action. For example, how often do the following work:

• Don't smoke.
• Don't drink and drive.
• Don't do drugs.
• Don't cry.
• Don't be stressed.

We are creatures of habits. And the research will tell you that in order to stop a habit you have to create a new one.

Just think of when a toddler is crying. Children usually "move on" when you give them a candy, tell them a joke, etc rather than tell them "don't cry".

The same with someone you know being stressed. Have you ever successfully told someone who's stressed not to be stressed? I haven't. And I find that patient under stress respond better when I explain that to them. They get the point and look for alternatives.

And in coaching, if you're trying to get an athlete to perform a skill in a different manner, rather than saying "don't do ____", it's a much better (motor learning) approach to directly give them the alternative instead. Otherwise they'll continually cognitively focus on what not to do.

Fighting fire with fire. It just doesn't work out well. So in essence, I'm not necessarily saying don't say don't. Instead what I'm suggesting is to do this instead. And "doing this" meaning find the alternative.

This one will be short but I wonder if Manual Muscle Testing should really be renamed Postural Stability Testing?

During manual muscle testing, which is often if not always performed in an open kinetic chain manner, a "muscle" may demonstrate high strength or activation levels...and it may not.

The local region tested may demonstrate a faulty pattern but so can the global / whole body pattern as well.

We know (perhaps assume with high confidence?) that muscles need a fixed point in order to pull toward. If that fixed point is relatively "stable", then I would think that the potential for ideal neuromuscular output would be greater.

But what if that fixed point is not actually "fixed"? That is, what if postural stability proximal to the region being tested isn't actually "stable". Would you get a reliable (let alone valid) reading?

Also, what about the true function of the muscle for that given position in which it is being test? Tonic? Phasic? Reflexive? Support function? Stepping/Grapsing function?

Do we even want full neuromuscular activity (hypothetical example: 100% MVC) in the first place?

There goes the can of worms...

I know many have already thought about this before and perhaps this was one of the things Janda was thinking about when he came up with his testing arsenal. But since it was currently at the top of my head, I thought I'd just blog about it.

I was recently asked by a colleague what my opinion was on the most important tool (as a student) that she should put in her toolbox.

To first give you some context, Katherine is a coach, trainer and strength & conditioning specialist who recently started chiropractic college.

Fully knowing her professional background, I still intentionally gave her a bit of a difficult answer.

I told her that experience, was single handedly the most important tool that she should put in her toolbox as a student. Let me clarify.

In my opinion, whether you are studying to become a coach, trainer or clinician, you absolutely need to accumulate hours upon hours of working with people. It has everything to do with hard work.

From figuring out what works and what doesn't and learning how to interact with people, to growing one's network and truly understanding what sacrifice and sweat mean in the real world, every student should start accumulating experience from day one. Be it volunteering, shadowing, or interning, experience is the fast track to separating oneself from simply being book smart.

Because your clients, athletes, and patients will not only ask you how long you've been working but they'll also use the sniff test on you.

And believe me, credibility matters.

In an age where talking the talk is commonplace, the number of individuals who have walked the walk are relatively decreasing.

Today, (face)book smart is reigning supreme. But unfortunately, those who are (face)book smart are also easy to pick out.

Is it easy? No. But it's doable.

Aspiring coaches, find a rake and rake the sandpit. Student trainers, turn on the faucet and fill water bottles. Students therapists, roll up your sleeves and get your hands on people. And young strength coaches, mop some floors.

Go to bed hungry (literally and figuratively) and wake up tired.

Trust me, having a diploma does not an expert make!