The Ultimate 6+ for Sport-Specific Training

It is important to understand the Ultimate 6 in relation to sport-specific movement.

When it comes to sport performance, tissue tolerance and biomechanics have to work together in order to have an optimal platform for movement. It is important to understand the relationship of the Ultimate 6 so that you may load fulcrums and levers to their maximal potential.

Speaking specifically to field sports, or those that require a defensive stance, the typical biomechanics are: knees forward, butt back, hands in front of your body; thus creating a "pillar of strength". The compression of the body, along with the load on the foot, will efficiently allow one to move up and down, side to side, or forward and back. Unfortunately what we typically see in the hip region is that the glutes are shifted back and the pelvis is tilted, resulting in dysfunctional weight distribution of the upper body and strain on the lower limbs.

If we can redefine the length/tension relationship between the muscles of the upper and lower body, and we increase the muscle's tolerance, we can ultimately allow the torso to stay structured through the required plains of movement. This will enable the structural integrity of the lever below/above the knee, the fulcrum of the pelvis and the lever of the torso all work in unison (enabling more efficient breathing), create structured torso rotation, and perform at an optimal level.

By creating tissue tolerance in the lower leg, we allow the foot mobility and the ankle more stability so the body can move more efficiently. If the lower leg is not addressed, rigidity and structure in the foot are forced to move on a lateral plane and the tibia/fibula can actually rotate, causing the patella to track improperly. If the muscles have pliability, they will initiate optimal primary movements.

Results from addressing the Ultimate 6

Soleus region: Less rigidity in the foot and less contact time with the ground reduces injury and produces greater explosive force through multiple planes of movement.

Quadriceps: Eliminates the strain on the knee and hip, creating an incredible amount of force to be drawn out of the muscle groups.

Psoas: Enables structed torso rotation, more efficient breathing, removes strain from L4-L5, and removes negative weight distribution from the upper body.

Piriformis: Lateral movement efficiency, increase in height and stability when springing upward and forward.

Pectorals: Strength and stability to the joint, increase arm force, and more efficient breathing.

Thoracic spine: Improves respiratory function, allowing more oxygen into the body with less effort which decreases heart rate.

Bringing Myofascial Compression Techniques or Trigger Point Programming to the 6 areas above will create tissue tolerance and increase the efficiency in every movement pattern. Regardless of what sport you choose, your effort and heart rate will decrease and your performance will ultimately increase.

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