Get Started
 

Author: Sean Cochran

Biomechanical Analysis of the Modern Golf Swing

by Sean Cochran

Introduction The introduction of diagnostic tools in the past decade such as 3 Dimensional Motion Analysis, Force Plate testing, and Movement assessments strategies have allowed for a very precise analysis of the modern day golf swing. In this day and age subjective reviews of the golf swing and what transpires in the execution of the golf swing are no longer prevalent. Science has certainly advanced the game in every aspect. These advances include the biomechanical and physicals components of the game....

Read More

A Brief Upper Extremity Anatomical Overview of The Pitching Motion

by Sean Cochran

The Biomechanical motion of pitching involves utilization of the entire kinetic chain to deliver the baseball at a high level of velocity with accuracy. The completion of this motion requires involvement of lower extremities, pelvis, torso, and upper extremities to execute. It is imperative from a performance and injury preventative perspective to understand the complexity of the overhand throwing motion. The overhead throwing motion of pitching is typically separated into phases from start to finish during the analysis of this athletic...

Read More

Power Signatures of the Rotary Athlete

by Sean Cochran

It is the goal of most every golfer, pitcher, hitter, or any rotary based athlete for that matter to swing faster, throw harder, or generate more bat speed. It is basically a fact the greater amounts of speed these athletes generate the propensity for success increases. For example, a study a number of years back by the Titleist Performance Institute found the only statistic measured on the PGA Tour equating to increased earnings was driving distance. No other statistic from...

Read More

Pelvis Power in the Rotary Athlete

by Sean Cochran

Understanding the kinematics of the rotary athlete assists in determining efficiencies, inefficiencies, and power sources with the throwing and striking motion. The hitting, throwing, and swinging motion all have a very common signature as it pertains to the pelvis action relative to efficient energy translation and power development. Regardless if you are position player in baseball, tennis athlete, pitcher, or golfer, research indicates all of these athletes have similar kinematic sequences and invariably show a very similar anterior to posterior...

Read More

Golf Digest Magazine – December 2017

by Sean Cochran

The 50 Best Golf-Fitness Professionals in America By Ron Kaspriski It didn’t happen quickly. Heck, it took decades to permeate. But fitness has become a big part of the conversation about what it takes to improve as a golfer. Players looking to swing better, faster, longer and, they hope, injury-free have turned to the gym to help achieve their goals. That’s why we believe it’s time to introduce a new ranking—the 50 Best Golf-Fitness Professionals in America. Read More...

Read More

What Can the Strength and Conditioning Coach Learn from 3D Motion Analysis?

by Sean Cochran

The process of utilizing diagnostic tools by professional athletes, organizations, and sports performance coaches is in full swing. The driver behind the utilization of these diagnostic tools is the shifting from a subjective perspective of athlete development and injury prevention to one which is scientifically based. This process "moves the needle" in terms of we are no longer guessing what we as professionals need to do to keep our athletes healthy and improving to a process based on science, data,...

Read More

Sports Science and Motion Analysis Technology

by Sean Cochran

There is a paradigm shift in the world of sports performance in this day and age. We are seeing the utilization of diagnostic tools to provide measurable information to improve the processes by which we train, coach, and teach athletes. Sport science is the terms being used to describe this process of shifting from a subjective means of sports performance training to a scientific based continuum where diagnostic tools such as force plates, motion analysis data capture systems, and science...

Read More

Off-Season Strength and Conditioning Programming for Rotary Athletes

by Sean Cochran

The rotary athlete participating in throwing and striking sports where speed generation occurs through the kinetic chain into bat, ball, racquet, or club have similar sequences by which energy is translated for optimal performance. As a result, the underlying physiological systems requiring development to enhance performance and limit the potential for injury are similar. We recognize the physiological requirements of the tennis player needing court coverage, compared to the golfer athlete impacting the golf ball with 8 times body weight...

Read More

The Kinematic Sequence and Speed Generation for the Rotary Athlete

by Sean Cochran

In the sports of golf, tennis, baseball, and softball optimal performance is a combination of both skill and the development of specific physical parameters within the kinetic chain to support this athletic skill. According to the National Academy of Sports Medicine skill can be defined as the ability of the neuromuscular system to coordinate the kinetic chain to allow for optimal efficiency within the functional movement patterns of the athlete’s chosen sport. In order for athletes, coaches, and sports medicine...

Read More

Tall Kneeling Lunge Overhead Rotations

by Sean Cochran

The thoracic spine and glenohumeral joint are two key components requiring mobility for the overhead throwing and striking athlete. Individuals participating in golf, baseball, tennis, volleyball, or lacrosse require high levels of upper body mobility in order to hit, throw, serve, or strike during competition. What these athletes must recognize is that in order to perform the throwing, hitting, and striking movements associated with these sports requires certain joints within the kinetic chain to have an a certain level of mobility....

Read More

Anaerobic and Aerobic Training for Sport

by Sean Cochran

Athletes who participate in sports competitively utilize the anaerobic and aerobic systems very differently. Utilization of the aerobic and anaerobic systems of energy are very sport dependent. For example, a marathon runner will utilize the aerobic system of the body to a very high degree whereas the American football player will rely heavily on the Anaerobic system during the course of a game. That being said, understanding the differences between these two systems and the processes by which the athlete...

Read More

Wide Grip Pull Up Performance Exercise

by Sean Cochran

One component of the strength and conditioning programs of the athletic population is the development of neuromuscular strength. Increasing the force outputs of the kinetic provides the athlete an opportunity to develop more power, improve stabilization capacities within the kinetic chain, reduce the potential for injury, and increase the opportunity to execute athletic actions with greater efficiency. Recognize athletic actions in sport are "feet to fingertip" where the entire kinetic chain is being recruited to execute the requirements of the sports....

Read More

Kinetic Chain Dysfunctions in Sport

by Sean Cochran

The kinetic chain of the human body is comprised of the articular, muscular, and nervous systems. It is these three sub-systems of the kinetic working interdependently to create efficient movement within the human body. Relative to the athlete in competition, these three sub-systems cohesively function together to run, throw, hit, swing, jump, and change direction. Unfortunately, dysfunction in one of these systems or a combination of systems will deter from performance during competition, lead to the development of inefficient movement...

Read More

TRX Rip Trainer Straight Arm Rotations

by Sean Cochran

Exercises incorporating the Serape Effect are integral in the strength and conditioning programs of the overhead throwing and striking athlete. These athletes in the sports of baseball, tennis, golf, volleyball, softball, lacrosse, and ice hockey must recognize the rotary components involved in the power production aspects of the athletic actions associated with their sport. In all of the aforementioned sports a rotary component is involved where speed development occurs. The development of speed via the kinetic chain is integral in the...

Read More

Single Leg Suit Case Dead Lift

by Sean Cochran

Comprehensive strength and conditioning programs for the professional athlete to weekend warrior or even fitness enthusiast utilizes a training template with sections addressing flexibility, mobility, joint range of motion, core stabilization, strength, power, and energy system development. Breaking this template down to a greater degree and focusing on the strength development section of a program recognize the importance of training movements and not muscles. I believe strength coach Mike Boyle may have been the first to coin this phrase, regardless, know...

Read More

Linear Hurdle Jumps Performance Exercise

by Sean Cochran

Power development is an integral piece of the equation for any throwing or striking athlete. Regardless if you participate in baseball, softball, tennis, golf, or volleyball any athlete generates power with the goal increasing swing speeds, bat speeds, club head speeds, and throwing velocities. What we must also recognize is the increasing of power is beneficial to any level athlete from the weekend warrior to the professional level. Finally, age should not be a deterrent as the fifty plus golfer...

Read More

The Serape Effect – A Key Contributor to Rotational Power

by Sean Cochran

The "Serape Effect" is a key concept for the the overhead throwing and striking athlete to understand in terms of power development, increasing swing speeds, throwing velocities, and core programming. Recognize one goal of the golfers, pitcher, tennis player, and all rotational athletes is to generate maximum speed to into ball, racket, or bat. A key component of this process is within the functioning of the core musculature. The serape is a Mexican garment piece which crosses in an X-pattern on...

Read More

Strength Development and Training for the Athletic Population

by Sean Cochran

The development of strength within the entire kinetic chain is integral for the execution of biomechanically efficient movement patterns in sport. Limitations in terms of stability, strength, or endurance within the musculature of the entire kinetic chain can severely hamper the ability of an athlete to execute proficiently the movement patterns associated within their sport of competition. "Functional" strength developed from feet to fingertips within the kinetic chain is essential for the athlete as this will provide the foundation by...

Read More

TRX Suspension Trainer Squat

by Sean Cochran

The athletic population requires the development of strength. Progressive strength and conditioning programs will develop strength in patterns. These patterns allow for systematic progression and development of the kinetic chain in a functional manner. Strength exercises are categorized as lower body push, lower body pull, upper body push, and upper body pull. Bilateral and unilateral movement patterns are to be addressed as well as horizontal and vertical patterns in the upper body. Lower body movement patterns are classified as push and...

Read More