The following brief questions were sent to me for my review. This young coach was trying to understand the Joint by Joint and my message that the theory can guide the appropriateness of exercise choices.
My notes are in bold.
Q: What are the 3 Main Principles behind the Joint-by-Joint?
A: #1 Know the Non-Functional and Functional Anatomy
#2 Understand Relative Stiffness
#3 Understand Injury Patterns
1. Understanding injury mechanism
2. Grading baseline appropriateness for exercise choices
Identify whether the following exercises and movements “clear” the Joint by Joint standard. Also provide a brief bullet point style explanation.
1. Seated Machine Military Press
technical proficiency reference: [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nMcwAQXBp8[/youtube]
No.
– The GH is “mobile” in all planes and here it is “stable” in the transverse and sagital
– The hip is “mobile” in all planes and here it is stabilizing in all planes
Technically, yes, but the stability in the scapulae and lumbar spine are not active. They are “picked up” by the runners of the Smith Machine for the scaps, and the bench for the lumbar spine.
The seated position also likely fosters lumbar flexion.
But taking active control out of the equation, this movement can represent the Joint by Joint, but it is not in the true spirit of Coach Boyle’s message.
2. Mini-Band Hip External Rotation
technical proficiency reference:
https://www.coreperformance.com/knowledge/movements/mini-band-external-rotation.html
No
– The Knee is “stable” in the frontal plane and here it is “mobile”
Yes, this technique does embody the joint by joint.
I think the movement is silly as the motor pattern of controlling valgus is not the same as the motor pattern of completely preventing valgus. But if controlled well as demonstrated in the video, there should be no excessive frontal or transverse motion at the knee.
Like so many things they do, AP gets a pass on criticism. There is a probably a good reason why you see only them or their minions using this type of prep.
3. KB Sumo Deadlift
technical proficiency reference:
No
– Lower c-spine is “stable” and here they are both “mobile”
Correct, while I don’t know that many feel as strongly as I do, the cervical extension in the hole of any level change is a joint-by-joint mistake, and it should be coached.
You can also hear Coach Boyle coach some more ankle mobility in this technique.
Lastly, I would look for more hip mobility by bringing the KB down from mid-foot to mid-calcaneus. This will foster more hip mobility and lumbar stability. Those qualities are present in this video with a strict joint-by-joint critique.
