Balancing the Planes of Motion With Proof of Concept

When engineers design a structure, they do so with the goal of Symmetry. When there is Symmetry, there is an equal distribution of Force throughout the foundation on the ground. This Symmetry provides the greatest stability & strength. Symmetry minimizes the probability of collapse . Asymmetry of a structure will result in weakness, an uneven physical load and loss of structural integrity. The loss of structural integrity creates a greater potential for collapse.

In my Anatomy and Kinesiology class years ago, a skeleton hung at the front of the class. We dissected the muscles of cadavers and took exams on the anatomy and function of these muscles and bones, we never considered how we could walk upright without collapsing into a pile of bones. We assumed that these bones were connected in a linear fashion similar to a physical structure. They are not.

Our bodies stay erect out of a process called Tensegrity. In the context of the human skeleton,Tensegrity refers to the concept that the bones, muscles, and connective tissues of the body are arranged in a way that creates a system of tension and compression that allows for efficient movement and support. This concept suggests that the body is not a rigid linear structure but rather a dynamic one, where tension and compression forces work together to create stability and flexibility. In this way, Tensegrity helps to explain how the body can maintain its shape and function despite external forces and changes in position.

A more detailed physiological description of this process is described in this Wyss Institute newsletter: https://wyss.harvard.edu/news/the-architecture-of-life-described-by-computer-modeling/

The Tensegrity model is what I believe the Wright Balance® 4-Way Express has leveraged in creating Core Symmetry as measured by Planes of Motion. There are also Wright Balance® isometric and dynamic exercises that balance the Planes of Motion following any activity from running to lifting or any athletic activity.

Our bodies are *** *** linear like physical structures. However, the concept of symmetry in a structure like our bodies is important for muscle balance. Through exercise and daily activities, we create core strength in one region while functionally weakening an opposing muscle group causing muscle imbalances. These imbalances result in changes in posture, stiffness, pain and decreased range of motion and function leading to injury. The imbalances are determined through a simple Wright Balance measurement and corrected, based upon the impacted plane of motion.

This video will explain this process and how to correct each activity via a simple strengthening exercises. The exercises vary by planes of motion.

When your student sets up to the ball with Core Symmetry, they have the greatest Power and a physical distribution of physical stress that minimizes the fatigue of any one joint (s) and the least potential for injury.

Our Core Muscles are the supporting structure of our Skeletal System and responsible for all movement. When we get out of bed, stand from a seated position, get up from the floor, pick up a child or any object, crawl, walk, run, swim, cycle, swing a club or bat or throw or find balance when we stumble, we use our Core Muscles. If any of those Core Muscles are weak, it is reflected in our balance. We need Core Muscle "strength" and balance to perform any of these activities.

Muscle imbalances are easily identified in one or more "Planes of Motion". The following is a summary of these tests of "Planes of Motion". The images below show the "test" of each plane of motion.

PLANES OF MOTION DEFINED AND DEMONSTRATED

HORIZONTAL (Transverse / Axial / Rotational) PLANE

Standing tall, taking deep breath and exhaling, relaxed and facing forward is a measure of rotational balance vs imbalance on the Horizontal Plane (AKA rotational / transverse / axial plane). The muscle tension creating this imbalance is from the **BACK of the body.

Standing tall, taking a deep breath and exhaling, relaxed and facing forward and THEN adding KNEE FLEX, is a measure of rotational balance vs imbalance on the Horizontal Plane (AKA rotational / transverse / axial plane). The muscle tension creating this rotation is from the FRONT **of the Body.

You will note that there are 2 (two) planes of motion shown in the above table (vertical / sagittal and horizontal / rotational. There is another plane of motion (Frontal / Coronal) I will cover later in this EBook. These images demonstrate the vertical or sagittal plane and horizontal or rotational plane.

TESTING IMBALANCES

The first screening is done with your students feet in a stance width that matches their dominant Zone (14 inches=Anterior; 16 inches=Interior; and 18 inches=Posterior). Next, have them place their elbows on their chest wall and pointed up, make a fist and let their arms relax and drop as shown in this image.

Note if one fist is higher than the other. If you can't tell with this test, leave the arms on the chest wall and raise the fists to the level of their chin and note any difference in the height of the fists as shown here.

Then, have them extend their fingers fully to note any differences in finger length as shown here.

The hands and fists measurement are simply telling you, if one is higher than the other, that their is a muscle imbalance that needs to be tested in planes of motion to pinpoint the imbalance.

I have measured a few thousand player's left and right hands for over 30 years and seldom are finger lengths the same in both hands. However, this manual process works in identifying and correcting imbalances in the Core. I would use the fists only before extending the fingers to minimize differences in finger lengths.

This video is a summary of the process.

Have your student stand on a lined Wright Balance® mat, place a bar and bungee on their hips. You are going to test their Planes of Motion one at a time. When there is a rotation of the pelvis in any of these planes of motion tests, you are observing an imbalance in one or more muscle groups.

Testing the Horizontal (Rotational / Axial / Transverse) Plane

The following photo shows the posterior (back) "Horizontal Plane" measurement when your student stands tall WITHOUT knee flex.

When you see rotation of the hips in any of these tests, that indicates MUSCLE IMBALANCE.

The "Horizontal Plane Front" is tested by having your student add knee flex as shown here.

**When you see hip rotation in either of these conditions, you are observing muscle imbalances in the horizontal (rotational / axial / transverse) plane.
**

Testing Vertical (Sagittal / Parasagittal) Plane

To test the Posterior (back) Sagittal Plane, have your student make a short step forward as demonstrated in this photo illustration.

To test the Anterior (front) Sagittal Plane, have your student make a short step backward as shown here.

Again, when you see hip rotation in any of these conditions, you are observing muscle imbalances in the vertical (sagittal) plane.

When testing the Vertical (Sagittal) Plane, have your student step forward on both the left and right side. Our Core is divided down the middle left and right as shown in the following illustration.

This division of the left and right side of the body is one of multiple ways of looking at muscle imbalances. In the horizontal and vertical planes, you will always see hip rotation when there is a muscle imbalance.

This brief video shows the front (anterior) to back (posterior) and the 3 Zones of the Core: Front (Anterior Zone), Middle (Interior Zone) and Back (Posterior Zone)

Testing Coronal / Frontal Plane

The third plane of motion is illustrated as a "leaning" or lateral left to right motion known as the Frontal or Coronal Plane.

Notice in this image the lower right shoulder and higher right hip. When assessing your students, you will more often than not see this combination: The hip that is higher is on the same side as the lowered shoulder and frequently on the dominant hand side.

The Coronal / Frontal Plane is observed visually first as is knee Pronation / Supination. Knee Supination / Pronation is part of that test.

TESTING THE VERTICAL (SAGITTAL) PLANE

The following chart is a summary of the test for the Vertical Sagittal Plane.

We will cover these tests during your training. The following summary describes the Oblique Sling, a group of muscles, involved in the Coronal or Frontal Plane. Any activity where there is a "lateral tilting" of the shoulders or hips is in the "Coronal or Frontal" Plane.

ANTERIOR OBLIQUE SLING

Knee Pronation / Supination Test

The knee Pronation / Supination test is visual. When you stand tall with your feet at 90 degrees and add knee flex, your left and right knees will be centered over each foot when there is no imbalance.

When one or both knees (generally one side only) don't center over the foot, that indicates muscle imbalance in the Anterior or Posterior Oblique Sling.

Imagine the Anterior Oblique Sling as shown in the photo above. Add a sling from the other shoulder and you have the full Anterior Oblique Sling. Turn the image around so you are looking at the back side with the same crossing slings on the back and you have the Posterior Oblique Sling.

Stand tall with both feet at a 90 degree angle and about 8 to 12 inches apart. Add knee flex, without rotating your hips and subtly lower your right shoulder positioning your eyes over your right foot. Does your right knee line up over the center of your right foot or do you see your right knee toward your great toe (pronation) or toward your little toe (supination)? Repeat the above checking your left side.

The Anterior Oblique Sling engages a group of muscles on the front of the Core Zone you are training. The Anterior Oblique crosses the body on both sides. This image shows the Anterior Oblique Sling on only one side. Visualize this "sling" crossing both sides. A weakness of the Anterior Oblique Sling causes knee supination or pronation on one side depending on which side is over trained. The opposite side needs strengthening to "match" the training of the stronger side. This is the exercise to create balance on both sides of the Anterior Obliques.

The Anterior Oblique Exercise

Use the Anterior (Upper Core) Grip Size and do the Wright Balance 4-Way Express Exercise in the following stance widths: 8, 14, 20, 26 and 32 inches. Then follow the instructions below.

Set the width of your feet at the inch mark of 8, set up with your hand on the wall, then raise your outside leg and do one arm wall pushups from one side or an isometric hold. Be certain your hips are square as you do the exercise. DO NOT let your hips rotate as you do the exercise. Count the number of pushups or the length of time of your isometric hold. Do either one arm wall pushups from the side or a timed isometric hold. Once you finish the right side, do the left side at the same Stance width before doing another set on the right side in a different Stance Width width.

Do this exercise on the left and right side as follows. I would break down this exercise in 3 days. On Day 1 do the exercise described below at 8 inches, 14 inches, 20 inches, 26 inches and 32 inches. These Stance Widths are from the Anterior Zone and they use only the Upper Core Power Spot sub-region of each of the Stance Widths.

Use the 9 Stance Widths of your body measurements and test each of the 9 Stance Widths using the Fist Test. You will notice that when you do the Anterior Zone in the 5 Stance Widths (8, 14, 20, 26 and 32 inches), that you impact 7, 8 and 9 of the 9 Stance Widths plus 2 other Anterior Zone subregions. Upon completion of all 9 to balance left and right of the Anterior Obliques. If you don't do all 9 Stance Widths to complete your Anterior Obliques, you will leave your Anterior Oblique muscles without total balance.

Again below is an image of the Anterior Oblique Sling.

The Anterior Oblique Sling impacts knee supination or pronation. My observations thus far suggest no patterns of supination or pronation with the Anterior or Posterior Oblique exercises. The following are the muscle groups involved in the Anterior Oblique Exercises.

The muscles of the anterior oblique sling include:

  1. External oblique: This muscle runs from the front lower ribs to the iliac crest and pubic bone.
  1. Contralateral internal oblique: This muscle runs in front from the thoracolumbar fascia to the iliac crest and pubic bone on the opposite side of the body.
  1. Transversus abdominis: This muscle runs horizontally across the front of the abdomen, attaching to the lower ribs, thoracolumbar fascia, and pubic bone.
  1. Rectus abdominis: This muscle runs vertically in front down the midline of the abdomen, from the sternum to the pubic bone.

Together, these muscles form a diagonal sling that helps to stabilize and support the pelvis and spine during movements such as walking, running, and twisting.

Posterior Oblique Sling

To recruit the Posterior Oblique Sling, do the following exercise on the left and right side at each of the following Stance Widths 8 inches, 14 inches, 20 inches 26 and 32 inches, the same as you did with the Anterior Obliques. Set the width of your feet at the inch mark you are doing. Then set up with your hand on the wall, raise your inside leg and do one arm wall pushups from one side or an isometric hold. Be certain your hips are square as you do the exercise. Count the number of one arm pushups or time the isometric hold making certain it is the same on both sides.

The following are illustrations of the Posterior Oblique exercises. Note the raised inside leg during the exercise.

DO NOT let your hips rotate as you do the exercise. Count the number of pushups or time the length of your isometric hold. Do one arm wall pushups from the side and count the number you do or time the isometric hold. Once you finish the right side, do the left side at the same Stance width before doing another set on the right side in a different stance width.

The Posterior Oblique Exercise will impact knee pronation or supination. The following muscles are involved in the posterior oblique sling.

  1. Gluteus Maximus
  1. Thoracolumbar Fascia
  2. Latissimus Dorsi
  3. Contralateral (opposite) Adductor Group (Adductor Magnus, Adductor Longus, Adductor Brevis, and Gracilis)
    Together, these muscles form 2 diagonal slings across the back that help stabilize and support the spine and movements such as walking, jumping rope, riding a bike, running, etc.

When you overwork the front or back or the left or right of your Core, muscle weakness follows in the opposing muscle groups. Muscles become weak or imbalanced due to overuse on one side of the Core. The opposing muscle group is functionally weakened. Muscle soreness, atrophy or pain follows.

When you have stronger abdominal muscles based upon an exercise or overuse and you have back pain, it is called a Lower Cross Syndrome. It is simply an imbalance of muscles. You have overworked your abdominals and under worked your back. The same is true in the Upper Core as well. That is called an Upper Cross Syndrome. If, for example your exercise is focused on planks or push-ups, you are strengthening the front of the Core and weakening the back of your Core. This muscle imbalance will result in soreness, pain and a loss of mobility.

Poor Core strength is reflected in Poor Posture, lower Back Pain, hip or knee pain. Posture changes when the muscles of the Core are weakened to the point of collapsing creating a slumped posture. Back Pain will evolve as a result of weakness in the muscles opposing the abdominal muscles. Posture and Back Pain are resolved when you are able to identify the origin of overuse by testing fists raised, planes of motion and then drill down into the sub-regions using the 9 Stance Widths from the body measurements. Then identify the exercise for the opposing muscle group that will strengthen that part of the Core.

When we lose motion for any reason the result is almost always soreness, pain and stiffness or asymmetry of opposing muscle groups. We know through the Wright Balance® functional tests, when measured before the Wright Balance® 4-Way Express exercises, that nobody has freedom of movement in all planes of motion. The Wright Balance® 4-Way Express Exercises eliminate the restriction of motion in all planes of motion. Eliminating the restrictions in movement allows you to begin to strengthen, and when done properly in the 3 Stance Widths of this pattern (8, 10 & 12; 14, 16 & 18; 20, 22 & 24; 26, 28 & 30) and drilling down in the 9 Core Region Stance Widths, you are able to balance your muscle strength front to back and left to right in all planes of motion. Each stance width recruits a different sub-region and 6 more sub-regions beyond the original 3 and more. Through this process, you are able to balance and strengthen all muscles groups of the Core in precise detail.

The Horizontal (Axial / Rotational / Transverse) Plane

The following chart shows the Horizontal and Vertical Plane Tests.

Wright Balance® refers to any restriction of motion as "Drag". "Drag" can be the most subtle of restrictions. I will show you a simple strategy to measure "Drag" later in this Course.

Our Core Muscles are the supporting structure of our Skeletal System and responsible for all movement. When we get out of bed, stand from a seated position, get up from the floor, pick up a child or any object, crawl, walk, run, swim, swing a club or bat or find balance when we stumble, we use our Core Muscles. If any of those Core Muscles are weak, it is reflected in our performance. We need Core Muscle "strength" to perform any of these activities.

So, where do we get this "strength"? If we exercise our Core Muscles, we become stronger in the regions we exercise. Our demonstrated "strength" or "Force" comes from the pressure when we "push" downward onto the floor or ground which produces force with motion. Strength is expressed as we recruit the necessary Core Muscles to perform the activity in what is referred to as the Kinetic Chain. When we exert this force, we don't always have equal strength in in every "Link" in the Kinetic Chain to do whatever the activity may be.

We see senior citizens slowly rise from a chair with observable instability. Their ability to use the force they exert as they push into the floor or arms of the chair is diminished in recruitment of the muscles of the Core when there is Core weakness in more than one Region.

These same "weak links" in the Kinetic chain exist in Elite Athletes. These "weak links" are disclosed as injuries. Thus, equal application of force throughout the entire Core (Vertical, Horizontal, Lateral, Front and Back and Left and Right in the Frontal / Coronal Plane) in each of the multiple Core Region Stance Widths is imperative. Wright Balance® has mapped the Core and identified the precise Regions of Recruitment. Exercise programs using the same frequency or intensity in each of these Regions will increase flexibility and strength thus minimizing the potential for injury. These Core exercises apply equally to the Elite athlete and to the senior citizen rising from their chair.

"Every action has an equal opposite reaction"

The concept of “every action has an equal and opposite reaction” is a fundamental scientific principle that generally applies to the physical world. It is most famously attributed to Sir Isaac Newton,

Essentially, it states that all motion or physical change is caused by forces that occur in equal and opposite pairs. For example, if a person pushes a weighted ball forward with a certain amount of force, the ball will react by pushing back against the person with the same amount of force. This reaction is known as Newton’s third law of motion and applies to any type of physical interaction between objects.

EXERCISES FOR MUSCLE BALANCING

Remember, the person's muscle imbalances will only be in their Dominant Zone if they have never done the Wright Balance® 4-Way Express. The "dormant" Zones have never had to deal with life's physical load. We only use 1/3 of our Core until the Wright Balance® 4-Way Express is used to "activate" another Zone. Whatever Zone was last activated will be the only Zone you are measuring and where current imbalances reside.

The majority of the time, wherever the body is facing, for example a plank with chest toward the floor, is the "side" of the body being trained. When we train one side, front to back or side to side, we functionally weaken the opposing muscle group. For example a plank that isn't paired with a back exercise creates, over time, a weakened back.

When there is movement forward or back, whatever motion direction, for example, riding a bike, jumping rope or running is generally the direction of the motion. Jumping rope tends to be a "toss up". The "toss up" means that the area recruited in planes of motion is always Sagittal. However, it varies from testing positive in Step Forward (back of sagittal plane) to Step Back (Front of Sagittal Plane). Here is a video of jumping rope and an example of exercise correction to balance opposing muscle groups.

This video shows exercise correction of Core Disruption the morning after moving a kitchen stove 2 flights of stairs.

EXPANSION OF STANCE WIDTH PATTERN

Since the writing of this EBook, another pattern evolved for the Wright Balance® 4-Way Express. The pattern 14, 16 and 18 inches evolved from the 8 inch Stance Width range. That pattern can be expanded and repeated out to at least 36 inches depending on the persons height and leg length. The pattern can be repeated on both sides of the original 14, 16 and 18 inches. For Example, the repeating pattern would be (in inches) 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24. 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, etc. The pattern always occurs every 2 inches in groups of 3. The first number in each of the groups of 3 (8, 14, 20, 26, 32 inches) is always the Anterior or Red Zone. The second number in each of the groups of 3 (10, 16, 22 28, 34 inches) is always the Interior or Black Zone. The third number in each of the groups of 3 (12, 18, 24, 30, 36 inches) is always the Posterior Zone.

When the Wright Balance® 4-Way Express is done in wider Stance Widths, the carrying angle increases and the heel to toe balance moves back toward the center of the arches or toward the heels in the Posterior Zone. The Zone doesn't change, only heel to toe balance and the carrying angle. This discovery points to the ability to engineer the best performance Zone for athletes depending on their use of the ground. The wider the Stance Width the player uses, the more rotational and linear ground force is available for use.

As an aside, the expanded pattern of stance widths occurs in groups of 3 and each Stance Width is 2 inches apart. Two and three are Fibonaci numbers.