Peer Review Analysis: Muscle Activity and Spine Load During Anterior Chain Whole Body Exercises

Muscle activity and spine load during anterior chain whole body linkage exercises: the body saw, hanging leg raise and walkout from a push-up

Stuart McGill, Jordan Andersen, & Jordan Cannon

A review by James Shmagranoff

Introduction

Full body linkage, as opposed to open and closed chain exercises, has been shown to increase functional strength. In an attempt to minimize joint wear, body linkage exercise offer both muscle activation as well as joint loading throughout the linkage instead of focusing on one particular joint. In regards to the torso, by utilizing exercises that prevent joint movement, stiffness in the spine (stability) and proximal stiffness can offer more resilience to spine buckling and allow for a focus of power and quickness in the arms and legs. In addition to that, stiffness can also be used not only as load bearing, but for movement control and limb power production. In order to provide some insight into how whole body linkage exercises in terms of three-point bend, distraction tension, and high compression bend…

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