Mobility and Stability

Movement patterns can be complex and by oversimplifying we might be adversely affecting performance and cause injuries. This is problem I often encounter is when evaluating mobility and stability.
 

Generalizing that we should have “proximal stability for distal mobility” is not always true. Meaning that there are instances when the core needs to be mobile, and the extremities need to be stable. 
 

There are many examples of when we need a mobile core and stable extremities. For example, when we plant our foot on the ground, we need to have a stable ankle to avoid sprains. When rehabbing an ankle, it would be advantageous to do lunges onto a pillow to train stability. Here lies the complexity of the problem. We want stability but we also need mobility to initiate movement when running, walking and jumping. 
 

Conversely, when throwing, punching and blocking we need rotational forces of the core to initiate transference of forces. Squats, lunge and crunch appear to be a preferred exercise. They are excellent but are two dimensional. Using a kettle bell, medicine ball, bands and rotational lifts allow for the initiation of the transfer of rotational forces. If someone is spiking a volleyball or going up for a layup we need the ability to move in three dimensions. The complexity of this situation is we need core stability to limit extraneous movement. 

When we treat injuries, it is imperative to determine mobility and stability of the core and/or the extremities. When we evaluate an injured individual, we look both locally (at the area of pain) and globally (the entire body). 

 

Dr. Leslie Dreifus 

Diplomate American Chiropractic Board of Sports Practitioners