ROTATION AROUND THE SPINE IN SPRINTING - DAN PFAFF

Dan Pfaff discusses the mechanics of spinal and pelvic rotation during walking gait and sprinting.

👉 Rotation around the spine in sprinting 🚶 In walking gait, the shoulder axis moves counter to the pelvic axis. As the right hip flexes and the leg swings through, the left arm drives forward. This coordinated counter-rotation is designed to happen mainly through the thoracic spine, with the largest contribution coming from T8 to T11 (Fujimori et al. 2012). When an athlete moves through drills or even walks onto the track, it’s worth noting where that spinal rotation is coming from. As velocity rises, the rotation should scale with it. When the lower thoracic spine is stiff or limited, the system borrows motion elsewhere. Most often, that load shifts into the lumbar spine and sacroiliac joints. 🏥 The lumbar spine isn’t built for that degree of rotation. Vertical facet orientation means rotational stress creates compressive forces on sensitive joint surfaces. Over time this drives irritation, guarding, and low-back or SI discomfort. In sprinting, rotation through the lower thoracic region is central to efficient mechanics and smooth coordination between opposite arm and leg. Spotting limitations early allows you to intervene before compensations cascade. This type of pattern recognition sits at the core of how Dan Pfaff teaches in The Coaching Eye. If movement analysis and intervention selection are priorities for your coaching, the program opens again in January. 🖤 And through Monday night (12/1), enrolling earns you $150 in store credit during our Black Friday week. 🔗 loom.ly/NK783K8 #sprinting #speed #performance #therapy #coaching