Posted on Monday, 23rd November 2009 by Eric Cressey
Q: Inspired by your articles on T-Nation, I’ve started to measure IR/ER/Total shoulder rotation deficits using a goniometer. I did have another question, however: you mentioned in an article that Hip Internal Rotation Deficit (HIRD) is a serious problem among baseball pitchers and hitters due to the asymmetrical front leg blocking in both mechanics. I absolutely agree, and I use corrective exercises and stretches to help alleviate these problems. However, I lack a good way to test for this; do you have any suggestions?
A: We check hip internal rotation in the seated position. Basically, you just have the individual sit up tall at the end of a table, and position the hips and knees at 90 degrees. Then, without allowing the hip to hike, you internally rotate the femur. This is one of the many assessments on our new DVD set, Assess and Correct, and it’s featured on page 50 of the tag-along e-manual. Check it out:
For more information on how to correct the problem - and assess for other issues like this, check out www.AssessandCorrect.com.
Tags: Assess and Correct, Baseball Workouts, Corrective Exercise, Hip Internal Rotation, Hip Mobility, Pro Baseball Pitcher Workout, Rotator Cuff Exercises, Rotator Cuff Rehab, Shoulder Exercises, Shoulder Health, Shoulder Impingement, Shoulder Pain, Shoulder Rehab, Throw Baseball Faster, Weight Lifting Program, Weight Lifting Routine, Weight Training Baseball
Posted in Blog | Comments (13)
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:34 am
You cool!
Great video.
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Thanks for addressing my question, Eric!
November 23rd, 2009 at 4:08 pm
Just got the Assess and Correct DVD, very excited to see what you have to show in this. This is right up my line with my Master’s work… you are excellent at what you do.
November 23rd, 2009 at 6:21 pm
Since when do you have a goatee? It must be No-shave november huh?….
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:27 pm
EC,
Great stuff, my friend.
Craig’s Test is one of my favorites to use with my runners as many of them lose internal rotation ROM from excessive pronation. Furthermore, I like to use it to evaluate the position of the femoral head in anteversion/retroversion.
Keep up the great work.
Best,
Carson Boddicker
November 24th, 2009 at 10:59 am
EXCELLANT!!!
November 25th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Great stuff EC, very informative as always!!
November 26th, 2009 at 11:45 pm
Great stuff.
Rick Kaselj of ExercisesForInjuries.com
.
December 1st, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Do you warm up your athletes before assessing them? Or do you assess the athlete while still “cold?”
December 7th, 2009 at 10:38 am
This video is great! Very informative, interesting and applicable.
August 18th, 2010 at 8:28 pm
Hey Eric,
I’m a Podiatric student from Australia and we are currently learning hip mobility examination techniques, much the same way as instructed in your video.
I exhibit very limited internal rotation (<10degrees) and do to the defined end point felt during the examination have been told that this is a bony deformity that cannot be resolved. i.e. i apparently haven’t de-rotated enough during development.
I just wanted your opinion on this as I value it heavily. So what do you think, am I doomed or is it resolvable. Also have had an external impingment problem with my Left shoulder which has falerd during repetitive boxing movements. Could this be influenced by my poor roattions at hip?
August 21st, 2010 at 5:14 pm
Christian, it certainly does happen (retroversion). If you have an IR deficit in prone as well as supine and seated, it (along with capsular changes) would be a candidate. I wouldn’t expect it to change.
Everything influences everything else, so that poor hip rotation could cause you to compensate with scapular protraction and shoulder internal rotation. Of course, it could also lead to back, hip, etc. issues. It’s just a matter of where you happen to break down.
Or, it might be completely unrelated.
August 21st, 2010 at 5:14 pm
Derek, we usually assess cold just for standardization.