The Value of Tactile Cues on Your Client

When training a client, you may want them to contract a particular muscle/area of their body during an exercise.  In the fitness and rehabilitation industry, we realize very quickly that every person we work with has a different level of body awareness.  Some clients demonstrate great control, while others make you wonder how they survived walking from their car into your clinic.  Tactile cues, or in this case, "tapping" a muscle is very beneficial in getting your client to do the exercise the way you want them to.  Just remember how quickly you corrected your own posture upon feeling someone tap your lower back, telling you to "straighten up."  If a client is having difficulty "firing" the exact muscle that you are asking him to, tap the area of concern to provide manual/tactile cues, along with providing verbal cues.  The more information your client receives into their CNS (central nervous system), the better they will perform a given task.  This works especially well with stubborn muscles following injury, such as the Vastus Medialis (VMO).  This is the "tear-drop" shaped muscle on the inner aspect of your knee.  Following any knee injury or surgery, inflammation is expected.  Very little swelling causes the VMO to 'shut down.'  With the VMO "off," the lateral thigh muscle (Vastus Lateralis) pulls the patella laterally during a quad contraction.  During a quad contraction, the patella should track superiorly.  This does not happen when the VMO is not firing properly and therefore you can expect more problematic knee issues in the future.  When having your client perform a basic quad set, if the VMO does not appear to contract, have them tap it with each contraction. 

You can also use this technique to assist with lower trapezius recruitment during shoulder/scapula exercises in order to maintain stability of the scapula.  If you are observing an incorrect exercise movement, tap the muscles that should be activated during that exercise and see how quickly your client corrects his/her form.  This should help your clients progress quickly through the intial stages of rehab or post rehab fitness.

So, What Was Being Targeted With the Diagonal Snatch, Log Uppercuts and Spirals??

Diagonal Snatch:
-In this exercise, you are moving the kettlebell in a D2 Flexion Pattern in PNF (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation).  Basically, you were working a diagonal proprioceptive pattern which will lead to more efficient functional movement patterns (Targeting the Nervous System)
-You are working Shoulder mobility, scapular stability, grip, forearm strength, rotator cuff stabilization, core stabilization, glute activation

Long Log Uppercuts:
-More diagonal patterns, this time with speed and power, which is more challenging to maintain core stability
-Grip and forearm strength
-Scap stability as you do not want to allow your shoulder blades to protract while you are "punching" upward

Short Log Spirals:
-Diagonals again, this time combined with dragon lunges
-Do not allow the logs to move off of your forearm, so you must squeeze the handles tight (Grip)
-If you push off the rear leg when moving into the upright position, you get a dynamic psoas stretch and assist your push off which is necessary in many sports.  Obliques will also be targeted as your trunk rotates and the core must remain stable throughout

Now, watch it again.....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mNxq5VJKxQ