Using functional movement screening tools and swing analysis, Dr. Summers will help each golfer determine their specific “Swing Diagnosis.” From that information, training plans will include specific exercises and drills to best address the physical limitations causing problems with your golf game!
Fore Foundations draws from the principles of Motor Control and Motor Learning, which Josh was taught during his Doctoral training. This can be simply described as “skill acquisition.” The golf swing requires voluntary control to generate specific and coordinated movements in order to meet the demands of the task.
This can be broken down into 4 (fore) key phases:
1) Mobility: The ability to perform active movement through a full range of motion. For example, the amount of motion the shoulder must move through in order to perform a proper back swing and follow through. Or consider the flexibility of multiple muscle groups in the hips and thighs that are required for maximum efficiency in a golf swing.
2) Stability: The ability to maintain a position against gravity. Muscles are required to co-contract in order to ensure maintenance of upright posture. Major swing flaws develop when a golfer does not have the core or postural control required to maintain their golf posture. This leads to decreased consistency, poor ball striking, leaking power, and injuries.
3) Controlled Mobility: The ability to coordinate movement while also maintaining a stable posture. Therefore, this combines the mobility and stability required to create purposeful movement (i.e. the golf swing). This is the training that focuses on the ‘muscle memory’ of the golf swing. Being able to combine the motion which generates high levels force, along with strong postural and core stability will lead to an efficient transfer of force into the golf ball.
4) Skill: The ability to perform complex and coordinated movements required to complete a golf swing consistently well under a variety of conditions. For example, the “variety of conditions” in game of golf could be whether you are: hitting an iron vs wood, hitting from fairway vs rough, hitting with the ball above vs below your feet, etc.
Injury Prevention and Wellness training:
As mentioned, Josh is licensed and practicing Physical Therapist. He truly loves the profession and always enjoys helping patients get back to a pain free lifestyle. One thing he has seen, over his decade long career, is that patients and the healthcare industry as a whole are too re-active when it comes to their physical limitations and problems. He feels that people should be more PRO-active when it comes to their physical health. So even if you are not a golfer, and you are just wanting to get started on a path to improving your physical health and well-being, then FFPT is still the place for you. Feel free to ask about ‘Foundational Strength Training’ and education programs that will keep you feeling better on a daily basis to help you maximize your overall quality of life.
References:
Hall & Brody: Therapeutic Exercise: Moving Toward Function, 2nd edition. 2005, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
http://www.scienceforsport.com/skill-acquisition/
Fore Foundations Physical Training 