Mobility is a topic that applies to every type of athlete, which may be one reason it was such a popular topic this year. This year we learned all about the best way to squat, how to screen and correct everyday movements, and what we all have in common with oranges. Curious? Here is the list of the top ten from 2013, counting down from number ten to the most popular one of the year. Which one will it be? And have you read them all?
Top 10 Mobility Articles of 2013
10. The Thing You Do Every Day That’s Setting You Up For Shoulder Injuries (Brooke Thomas)
Many of us internally rotate our arms all day long while we work. Sadly, this exact positioning is a set up for a shoulder impingement or rotator cuff or labrum tear down the road.
9. Science Says Foam Folling Increases ROM and Does Not Decrease Strength (Jeff Barnett)
New research shows foam rolling can dramatically increase range of motion, without decreasing the strength of an athlete. There’s really no reason not to get on that foam roller or lacrosse ball now.
8. Moderating the Knees In Versus Knees Out Squat Debate (Conrad Stalheim)
Do you push your knees out when squatting or do you let them come in a little at the very bottom? Is either of these a bad idea? Or is one a better idea?
7. 7 Essential Elements of Rest and Recovery (Jeff Kuhland)
Rest and recovery consists of a lot more than just not working out. There are better ways to rest and there are recovery tools you need to be implementing. These are the seven things I recommend.
6. Why Screening and Corrective Exercise Should Be the Foundation of Every Exercise Program (Jeff Kuhland)
What is a “screen” and what is the goal of corrective exercise? Let’s take a look at how to screen, what the goal is, and how we can examine and correct the basic squat movement.
5. The Top 5 Ways Fascia Matters to Athletes (Brooke Thomas)
Turns out we’re kinda like oranges. Here’s some info about fascia and how you can use it to maximize not just your performance, but also just your ability to feel good in your body.
4. Why Do I Keep Jacking Up My Shoulder? A CrossFitter’s Dilemma (Meghan Rovig)
By correcting your mechanics and teaching your body how to move more efficiently, you’ll quit f’ing up your shoulder and start f’ing up WODs.
3. How Kelly Starrett’s Mobility Seminar Ruined Me (Danette “Dizzle” Rivera)
I know that tearing down to rebuild better is a great thing. Kelly Starrett did not ruin me, he just opened my eyes. It’s time to relearn movement basics – maybe even learn them for the first time.
2. Squat Therapy: 4 Drills That Will Improve Your Squat (Chet Morjaria)
Trying to improve your basic squat position? Trouble keeping your chest up or opening your hips? These four drills, which I call “squat therapy,” can help you develop great squat form.
1. What Is a Foam Roller, How Do I Use It, and Why Does It Hurt? (Jeff Kuhland)
So you’ve got a foam roller, but do you know how to use it? Do you know what it’s actually doing and why it hurts? Here’s some info on how to do self-myofascial release (that’s what it’s called).
Photo 1 courtesy of Shutterstock.
Photo 2 courtesy of CrossFit, Inc.
