Back Key Feature: Focus on the shoulder
Although there are many variables that can be used to describe someone’s movement patterns, some can have very significant impacts on a fire fighter’s performance or risk of injury. The back key feature, is the second of two critical observations directed at the shoulder. The two images below are intended to orient you to the specific observations for evaluating this key feature.
Elbow and shoulder move together
Represents a far superior movement solution from both an injury risk reduction and performance standpoint.
Elbow and shoulder move independently
Represents a riskier movement solution from an injury risk perspective and can limit performance.
Connecting the Back Key Feature to Patterns
Knowing what patterns, and by extension, exercises, are connected with which key features can assist F2T ambassadors to make deliberate and systematic observations of their peers’ movement. Since the number of exercises that can be performed in a gym- or exercise-based setting is near infinite, the F2T program encourages ambassadors to model movement using 5 basic patterns. The table below relates the back key feature to the 5 patterns, and the image slider provides example exercises for each pattern that would require a coach to be mindful of the back key feature of the shoulder.
Putting it all together: Instructional Video
This instructional video is a complete guide to the back key feature. Along with detailing how to observe the feature, the video will also discuss the rationale for why this is a critical observation for F2T ambassadors to consider when observing their peers’ movement. For those who prefer learning by observation, this instructional video is a great complement, or alternative, to the other content included in this post.
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