Facebook Pixel
Brookbush Institute Logo

June 6, 2023

Upper-body Dysfunction and the Overhead Squat Assessment

Learn about upper-body dysfunction and its impact on the overhead squat assessment. Discover how to identify and address these issues for better athletic performance.

Brent Brookbush

Brent Brookbush

DPT, PT, MS, CPT, HMS, IMT

Catherine D'Arcy Onnen Okay new development. My athlete’s hands on her hips makes it "harder" for her to squat, she actually leans forward more. The plates under heels made it "easier" (she could go lower) but her back still rounded at the bottom. Thoughts?

Catherine D'Arcy Onnen she is crazy muscular- dunno if that has anything to do with it

Brent Brookbush This is actually pretty common, and confirms upper-body postural dysfunction. The forward lean is caused by intrinsic stabilization subsystem “underactivity” and dominance of global core musculature – specifically the Anterior Oblique Subsystem. You can read my article on Anterior Oblique Subsystem for more information. If not I will try to explain more. It sounds like your athlete has a bit of each dysfunction. You are going to have to work through them one at a time. I would start with the ankle and work my way up in 4 week cycles….

Anterior Oblique Subsystem Integration

Check out the whole article if you are unfamiliar with what the subsystems are, but pay special attention to the first paragraph under "Motor Behavior." It speaks specifically of your problem.

Comments

Guest