Someone on another Internet group commented on the high incidence of
spondlyolysis among girl gymnasts, football linemen and ballet dancers and
stated that it might have to do with excessive back-bending, jumping or
impacts involved in some sports. It was added that it could also be caused
by tight hamstrings or tight hip flexors or that tight muscles are even the
result, rather than the cause of the problem.
A solution that was suggested was that, your back doesn't bother you too
much, you should work at straightening your backbone using 'pelvic tilts'
and crunches because the more you arch your back ,
the worse the problem will become. The clsoing remark was that you must
straighten the backbone and strengthen the abdominal muscles to prevent back
problems like this.
I commented that the author quite correct in commenting that nobody really
knows the precise aetiology of Spondylolysis, but that the problem probably
is multifactorial.
I added that it is even doubtful if frequent back bending is a major cause of
the problem, because spondylolysis was not at all common among Olympic
weightlifters who performed the Olympic Press with a marked backbend under
heavy loads (weights exceeding 300lbs or 140kg were commonplace). In fact,
the correctly executed Olympic Press, with its special double bending or
swaying action of the trunk can offer an excellent way of strengthening the
abdominal muscualture and enhancing trunk flexibility.
Of course, learning it should be a gradual process for the average person,
because it does involve the acquisition of special non-elementary movement
skills.
For those who may never have seen or tried this lift, see the following
webpage:
http://www.olympus.net/personal/cablebar/PRESS.htm
Would anyone else like to comment on the issue of back pain and disability in
its many forms, as well as some of the practical solutions that are offered
to manage them?
Dr Mel C Siff
Denver, USA
http://www.egroups.com/group/supertraining
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