Functional Training for the Torso

By Gray Cook, MS, PT, OCS, CSCS

"Almost all sports involve activity in three planes of motion. Isolation and nonspecific exercises usually involve one or two planes of motion. The three planes of motion are as follows: a) frontal movements, which involve lateral flexion or bending to the left and right side; (b) sagittal movements, which involve flexion and extension of the trunk in forward and backward movement; and (c) transverse movements, which involve rotation or twisting to the left and right (2)."

"...These three planes of movement should be addressed as integrated rather than isolated movements, with each serving to complement the other. The integration of these movements produces motion through the kinetic chain."

"...PNF (Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation) describes how some physical therapists and strength coaches look at human movement. Optimum performance can be gained when muscles are used to complement each other to create unified movements."

"...The chop and lift are multi-planar (three-plane) exercises which require diagonal and spiral motions of the arms, shoulders, trunk, hips, and legs."

"...The Chop and Lift Program can help the strength and
conditioning specialist provide functional and sport-specific training as the athlete progressively strengthens the torso."

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