Strength Train for Performance and Injury Protection

Strength Train for Performance and Injury Protection
By Dan Riley, M.S.
As the science of strength training has evolved over the past 20 years, unfortunately weight room equipment has not kept pace. Most available machines are great for training a weight lifting team, or to improve athletic performance – but sports athletes need more.
Strong muscles are good shock absorbers. A strength regimen that strategically builds muscle strength in key areas of the body can provide an extra measure of injury protection on the field.
Strong neck muscles protect against concussion
Injury protection should be a priority, especially at the high school level. The place to start is adding a neck strengthening program into the exercise regimen.
When I was an NFL strength coach, neck machines and shoulder shrugging stations were available, and players were required to train these muscles at the beginning of their workout. Over time, neck “stingers” were nearly eliminated when neck development became the priority.
And with recent news of the dangers of concussion and its long-term cognitive effects, athletes should be encouraged to do all they can to protect themselves from injury.
Strong, shock-absorbing neck muscles help to minimize concussive forces, especially on the football field. Neck strength also protects soccer and baseball athletes from cumulative concussion problems, such as the repetitive impact force of heading the ball.
Thinking long term, machines should be purchased to develop total body strength in all five major body sections:

1. Neck and traps (trapezius)
2. Hips and legs
3. Midsection
4. Torso and shoulder capsule
5. Arms

Strong shoulder muscles protect joints, tendons and ligaments
In a five-year study with Colorado Rockies baseball pitchers, the strength of the smaller muscles surrounding the shoulder capsule was tested at the beginning of each season. It was determined that if the external rotators of the rotator cuff were weak, or if there was a significant imbalance between the internal and external rotators, the incidence of a shoulder injury was extremely high during the season.
The smaller muscles surrounding the shoulder capsule are designed to protect joint integrity. These muscles include:

• Anterior head (frontal deltoid) – front raise
• Medial head (middle deltoid) – lateral raise
• Posterior head (rear deltoid) – bent-over raise
• Rotator cuff - internal rotation
• Rotator cuff - external rotation

The rear deltoid muscle is designed to decelerate the arm in any throwing motion. Quarterbacks, softball and baseball players, javelin throwers, etc., often complain of soreness or injury in this area.
A well-designed strength program should target each of these muscle groups. Multi-joint movement will not generate maximum strength gains in each of these muscles. An isolation exercise for each of these muscles must be performed if maximum strength and protection of the shoulder capsule is the goal.
When I worked with NFL athletes, I found many who had ignored these areas of the body. Some had already been injured and many were extremely deficient in strength in the muscles surrounding the shoulder. Once these muscles groups were targeted, players responded almost immediately.
There is great value in balancing your strength program between protection and performance, but keep in mind:  The dangers aren’t just from a catastrophic injury or sudden episode. They may also be the accumulative affect of the repetitive impact forces over time.
Dan Riley, M.S., is a strength and conditioning educator for the Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute with 27 years experience as a strength trainer in the National Football League.

Sports Medicine Institute Medical Staff