March / April / May 2023 | Akwa | 19 Anatomically, the pelvis provides the link to the core via the sacroiliac joints, and to the lower extremities via the hip joint. Thus, it is due to these intimate structural attach- ments, which also include muscles, ligaments, and tendons, that the core and the lower extremities are co-dependents in managing stability, balance, and movement for all functional tasks. Here also, is the biomechanical basis for how engaging the lower extremities when lifting an object from the floor, protects the back, allowing the core to accept the weight and then manage weight transference to structures that are built to accommodate it. While lifting objects is a common daily occurrence, underlying is a compendium of finely tuned muscles responding to constant, proprioceptive input that ensures safe, stable manipulation of weight. The coordination of muscles turning on and off is a fine-tuned sequence and, addi- tionally, multiple range of motion requirements occur throughout the spine to the toes to generate sufficient power to perform, but not overpower, the simple task of lifting. When one component is tight, mal-aligned, painful, and/or weak, adjacent structures become challenged – for good or for bad – so that the task can be completed. Thus, it is this juxtaposition of our core to our lower extremities that allows us to complete the multiplicity of physical tasks we perform each day in stable, well-balanced positions, whether standing, sitting, or moving. Functional skills, from squats to lunges to unilateral maneuvers, require an appreciation for how the lower extremities affect the core and what tri-planar stability is required of the core to allow success with the task without loss of balance or injury. Core strength should provide the stability for successful manipulation of the lower extremities when- ever we move. Walking itself requires constant core adjustment dependent on the phase of gait of the standing foot to ensure both balance and stability. An equally important component is lower extremity recognition of appropriate ROM, strength, and tri-planar mobility to successfully maneuver throughout the gait cycle. Water’s unique properties, specifically viscosity and buoyancy, are best suited to assist with core strength upgrades when utilizing functional movements. Lower extremities, when maintained in closed chain, optimally challenge the core without a fall risk or potentially an unstable core attempting to manage/transfer an inordinate amount of weight. While land-based “bird-dog” and “dead bug” training does strengthen the core, it is neither replicating function, nor providing ideal proprioceptive feedback, both essen- tial for optimal postural re-training in managing external perturbations. One might argue that water’s proprioceptive response is dissimilar to land as well. However, with a selec- tion of exercises planned to replicate land-based functional movements, the core can be challenged by the lower extremities sufficiently to elicit positive strength gains with adequate proprioceptive input provided to optimize biomechanically accurate training. Water, then becomes a valuable tool in effectively managing lower kinetic biome- chanical dysfunction when utilizing specific movements and force to maximize core response. One’s knowledge of anatomy combined with precise, lower extremity tri-planar movements that elicit optimal core responses, aid in maximal stability on land required for basic functional movements to elite sports challenges. AUTHOR Marty Biondi is one of AEA’s amazing IAFTC 2023 Presenters. Click here to find out more about Marty and the sessions she is offering. Core Control-Lower Extremity’s Impact on the Core By Marty Biondi, PT, DPT Anchored Aquatics By Jeanette Termorshuizen Working with balance as a targeted goal can be done both grounded and suspended. The key is being anchored. Balance is critical for everything we do. Having better balance means you’re able to stop under con- trol, recover momentum, and react quickly. As we age, we lose the ability to perform quick muscle contractions at twice the rate of general strength decline. The good news is that regard- less of age, repeated practice can help maintain or enhance our balance. We need to create appropriate neuromus- cular connections, the links between your brain and muscles, and repetition is important. Training for balance in the water reduces some of the challenges of land-based training, such as the risk of falling and resultant injuries. The water can also enhance the quality of train- ing. Let’s explore some of the training opportunities in both shallow and deep water, with anchoring as the key. An anchor is what keeps us in place. The most obvious way to translate this to the pool is to keep one foot
