What is a kinetic chain?
A kinetic chain is the organization of bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and fascia during movement. Kinesiology studies how these parts work together in sequence to create movement.
What is a Principal Action?
A Principal Action is a predominant or primary function of a kinetic chain. The principal actions of each of The 5 Primary Kinetic Chains work together to create balanced movement/locomotion.
What is The Spiral Engine of Locomotion™?
The Spiral Engine of Locomotion™ takes into consideration the whole structure. Connective tissue and fascia make up the body and is animated and energized by the spiral action of three-dimensional movement.
What is a compensation?
Compensation is when one player is not engaged in the movement equation and other players are brought into the equation to work harder to make up for the disengaged player. The overworked players are compensating for the player not doing their job.
For example:
The gluteus maximus is a prime mover in the Posterior Spiral. It is a hip extensor and hip external rotator. When it fatigues or is unable to produce work, the body will recruit other players to assist in the movement equation. This might look like the low back, piriformis, proximal hamstring, calves, or plantar aponeurosis coming to the rescue to fulfill the need for hip extension. This doubles up the workload on those muscles and that compensation will leave them overworked.
What are core subsystems?
The core subsystems, as postulated by Dr Andry Vleeming, are the muscular slings that integrate the function of the lumbopelvis. The way the muscular slings, or kinetic chains, work together in cooperation provides the basis for locomotion.
What is a prime mover?
A prime mover is the muscle that has mechanical advantage to produce the most amount of work in locomotion.
What is a synergist?
Synergists are the helper muscles. They assist the prime mover to integrate the work production in locomotion.
How do these posters differ from other anatomy posters?
Anatomy is looking through the lens of structure. Kinesiology is looking through the lens of movement. These posters help us visualize how the structure is organized to accomplish movement.
Why are the charts in colors?
The charts and illustrations are color coded to aid in quickly identifying groups of muscles and how they work together to create movement. The color variation between the core subsystems, prime movers, and synergists create an eye-appealing format to discern the hierarchy and relationships between the players in movement.
I’m a student, will I be able to understand the charts?
Yes, the charts are an excellent tool to help students visualize, learn, and organize the relationships between muscles during locomotion / movement. Additionally, the color coding allows for quick reference to subsystems, prime movers and synergistic muscle groups.
I’m a practitioner, will I be able to use the posters in my office?
The highly-detailed illustrations and information-packed charts are a perfect addition to the reference material you currently use. The colors in the posters will brighten your office and because they are small poster format, only 11×17 inches, take only a moderate amount of space.
Can I use the posters to educate my patients and clients?
These posters are a great tool for educating your clients. The illustrations provide the perfect addition for understanding the relationship of one part of the structure to another. We’ve received many reports of clients having an aha moment like, “Now I can see why you were working on my hip for my shoulder pain!”
How do The 5 Primary Kinetic Chains work together?
All five kinetic chains work together. The first three kinetic chains, Intrinsic, Deep Longitudinal, and Lateral, work together to create the dynamic platform for movement. The dynamic platform is necessary so that the last two chains, the Posterior Spiral and Anterior Spiral, can produce the energy needed for locomotion.
How do I use the charts?
The charts can be used as a reference tool for investigating movement patterns and identifying dysfunctional movement patterns. As a road map to investigating dysfunctional movement patterns, practitioners can quickly identify areas that need integration.
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