Injury Bend your way faster
Don’t fall into the spinal trap. Stay mobile – and put your back into it
A LACK OF MOBILITY in the spine can alter loading patterns and raise your injury risk, says a new study published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement
Therapies. For the study, runners’ spines were ‘splinted’ to prevent rotation. When rotation was restricted, the subjects experienced higher ground reaction forces. ‘The spine and pelvis are the engine that drives human locomotion, especially running,’ says study author Joseph Morley. To restore rotation, he recommends exercises that combine spinal rotation with counter-rotation of the legs and pelvis to improve mobility.