Roz McGinty - Victory at the European Triathlon Champs

A late report from the European Triathlon Champs.  Here we have Roz McGinty, the hardest working athlete I know! on top of the podium.  Congratulations!

Roz has worked incredibly hard, overcoming and managing a whole range of chronic problems, to progress to victory in the europeans whilst also competing in just about every race available here in the UK.

Roz first presented in 2007, prior to the London Marathon that year, with L hamstring origin tendonopathy, L buttock pain and general weakness down the L side.  Competing was not looking likely, with constant pain exacerbated by sitting, walking and running.  Long story short! and any readers familiar with Gary Gray's work will appreciate the "chain reactions" involved, Roz's feet and ankles are a state, bi-lateral articular limitations at the talo-crural joint (ankle), I believe, have caused a huge compensated Fore-foot Varus.  This involves a massive over pronation at the STJ and has contributed/caused both proximal and distal lower limb, hip and back issues.  The correction of this issue has been on-going, with some success coming from treatment of the proximal symptoms combined with strength work.  The main focus, however, the correction of the varus and facilitation of TCJ ROM is still proving somewhat stubborn!  various strategies have delivered improvement, with a notable reduction in varus and increase in TCJ range evident, but until a replacement foot/ankle combo is available, I'm goint to be busy!

The good news is, of course, we have managed and adapted, and Roz has been able to compete regularly.  The season is now over and I'm sure as I write this she has her feet up resting - not!

Daz Parker - XTERRA World Champs 2010

Congratulations to Daz, finishing 15th Pro in the Xterra World Champs, held in Maui last month.  Full race report on her web-site, link below on a previous post.

Resistance Band Gluteus Maximus sequence

The sequence of movements below form PART of either a dynamic warm up or activation and strengthening program.  The main focus is facilitation of the hip extensor muscles but dynamic control and strength of pelvic motion will also be developed.

The effectiveness of this sequence is due to the horizontal line of pull created by the band, this causes activation of both the hip extensors and lumbo-pelvic stabilisers.  ROM is encouraged at the hip with the cue of backward-forward pelvic motion.

Rep range and tempo will be client and objective dependant.  The sequence should run as follows,

1- Bi-lateral squat
2- Uni-lateral squat
3- Posterior lunge with step through

Progressions into more dynamic and challenging movements are obviously possible and will be posted at a later date.

Thanks to Alex Wilson, appearing in the shots above.

Iliacus-Psoas Active Release Technique with adaptation

Here we have ART in action releasing the Iliacus and Psoas Major.  This technique I usually combine with manual Psoas activation, distal Psoas/Iliacus release and general release of the anterior hip capsule and indirect head of the RecFem.  Viewers will note the regular mention of these techniques in the posts, this is largely due to their effectiveness and the regularity with which hip dysfunction presents.

My objective with this specific protocol is often to separate and facilitate sufficient slide between the Iliacus  and Psoas Major.  Improvements here will positively effect hip flexion, extension and pelvic control.  It is my opinion that these TWO muscles oppose each other in the sense that Iliacus is a powerful flexor of the hip whereas Psoas, especially its anterior fibres, cause posterior tilt of the pelvis due to fascial connection to the anterior surface of the innominate.  The segmental vertebral attachments and segmental innervation hint that the posterior fibres of Psoas act, in much the same way as the lumbar Multifidus, providing spinal stability.  I would add to this hypothesis by suggesting that many of the motor control strategies attempting to retrain the so-called "inner unit", and especially with regard to the TVA, elicit improvements due to the facilitation of Psoas function.

Key technical points regarding this protocol include,

- Flat contact onto the Iliacus.  As with all ART the contact should not compress the structures involved, full ROM and slide may then be achieved.
- Full range of hip extension with slight internal rotation.
- Care to be taken when proximal to the Femoral nerve or Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve.
- To aid separation, posterior pelvic tilt may be added at terminal hip movement, this will effectively allow the Psoas to slide.
- Contact should be inferior to the Inguinal Ligament.

Apologies - the intended video clip of the technique did not upload.  The images above show the basic start and finish position.  The technique can be effective through clothing as shown.


Please do not attempt any of the above unless you are suitably qualified!