Why Training Breathing as a Movement Pattern is a Game Changer: Add Yards, Lose Strokes, End Back Pain and More
HANDS ON
Saturday, October 13, 2018
Many of us are aware that better breathing can improve our “mental game.” But most don’t realize its significant impact on posture, mobility, strength and control. By gaining an understand of breathing’s role as a fundamental movement pattern, we can train it as such to enhance swing range of motion, power and accuracy as well as release chronic play-hampering issues, like back pain.
How is that possible? The quality of our breathing largely dictates our ribcage position/kinematics, influencing everything from scapular function, shoulder mobility and t-spine rotation to spine position. And because the diaphragm attaches to both the ribcage and the lumbar spine—running through the psoas at its lumbar attachment—its function also impacts core and pelvic floor strength, lower-back stability, pelvis position and hip mobility.
For a better understanding of breathing’s direct link to the golf swing and how to leverage it, we’ll look specifically at its influence on common swing characteristics, like early extension and loss of posture. And we’ll explore the best breathing exercises for golfers and most effective ways to integrate them into overall strength & conditioning programs.