Research Corner - Q&A Training Movement Specificity by Gray Cook | Date Released : 13 May 2004 0 comments Print Close QUESTION: I have a question about training athletes in a sport like golf that requires real specific movements that are crucial to the execution of the shot. Do you think that some moves can be detrimental to a swing if the move is not following that exact swing pattern (i.e., throwing a medicine ball in which you do a similar but not the exact same weight shift as you would be on the course)? Do you think an athlete can develop a bad habit from not duplicating that specific good habit? ANSWER: Good question. The swing is a unique skill and it can only be trained as the swing (I leave that to the pros). I train weight shifting, mobility, stability, strength, power.... etc. My point is to clean up all movement patterns. Use the drills with the medball and cable column to demonstrate stability and left/right symmetry and push quickness. Then tell your golfer he has more horse power – now learn to drive it! The people who teach the skill always come back to me with positive amazement and say, “What the hell did you do?” And I say, "I just achieved balance and reduced unnecessary compensation." Always demand as much symmetry as possible when training athletes. It seems boring but that is what I do. Back to top About the author: Gray Cook Gray Cook, a practicing physical therapist, has spent his entire career refining and developing functional evaluation exercise techniques. His interests have led him in two directions. The first was in the field of reactive training techniques starting with his Masters thesis. His work was developed into a journal article that was the foundation of a nationally recognized continuing education course for physical therapists and athletic trainers. The course is offered through the North American Sports Medicine Institute and the information ultimately became a book chapter. Gray’s second contribution was in the form of functional movement screening. This tool is not so much an evaluation for individuals entering rehabilitation as it is a screening tool for individuals participating in sports and fitness activities. Gray’s first movement screen targeted the athletic population out of a desire to curtail the unnecessary injuries in athletics as a result of poor conditioning and poor flexibility that result in poor movement patterns. He realized that the one piece of information not currently being considered in the field of sports medicine, sports conditioning, fitness and rehabilitation was that movement is represented not by isolated singular movements but by unique patterns of movement that can either work together or against each other in the human system. Cook realized that a system needed to be in place to recognize and objectify these patterns. Gray has lectured nationally and internationally in the fields of physical therapy, sports medicine and performance enhancement. He has served as a consultant to numerous universities and professional sports teams in all four major sports. Gray’s consulting is not limited to rehabilitation and sports medicine. He is equally sought after for his advice on conditioning and performance enhancement. Gray currently practices physical therapy in southwest Virginia and continues to publish and present topics related to rehabilitation and exercise. Gray is a board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist with the American Physical Therapy Association. He is a certified strength and conditioning specialist with the National Strength and Conditioning Association and a Level I coach with the U. S. Weight Lifting Federation. Full Author Details Related content Content from Gray Cook Technical and Functional Integrated Training for Golf: Left Leg Foundation Robert Wood | Articles Chop and Lift - Part 3 Gray Cook | Articles Cardiovascular Training for Specificity Shonna Porter | Articles Watch Your Feet for Improved Core Stability Gray Cook | Articles Wall Sit w/Arm Raise Gray Cook | Articles Chop and Lift - Part 3 Gray Cook | Articles Chop and Lift - Part 2 Gray Cook | Articles Proper Form and Muscle Fatigue Gray Cook | Articles Chop and Lift - Part 1 Gray Cook | Articles Reebok Movement Screens and Tight Hamstrings Gray Cook | Articles What's Behind the Injury? Gray Cook | Articles The Back Side of the Core Gray Cook | Articles Training Movement Specificity Gray Cook | Articles Squat Test: Reebok Screens Gray Cook | Articles Core and Neurostabilization Training Gray Cook | Articles Please login to leave a comment Comments (0) Back to top