The following are some useful publications, or publication references to helpful information pertaining to the Perseus Athletics products.
Rotary Golf Swing l January 2010
Golf Biomechanics - Boost Stability and Power with the "Anchor" by Chuck Quinton.
Check out Chuck Quinton's interpretation of The Anchor by clicking here.
The June 2009 issue of Golf Magazine
In the June 2009 issue of Golf Magazine, they highlighted the performance and swing of Rory McIlroy. “The youngest gun on tour has a “classic” modern-day swing. They illustrated one of it's key components, keeping the flex in his right knee throughout the swing. This allowed him to minimize the hip rotation while maximizing his “massive” shoulder turn.
These are the principles which are developed by use of The Anchor.
North Shore Life Magazine l Summer 2009
"Stabilize Your Swing" written by Donna O'Neil concentrates on the inspiration behind The Anchor and Dr. Brian McKeon's commitment to sports medicine and passion for golf. Check out the article in the summer issue of North Shore Life Magazine.
Knee Arthroscopy
McKeon, Brian P.; Bono, James V,; Richmond, John C. (Eds.). Springer New York, 2009
Medical Articles
The following articles are collected files of medical research examining the effects of poor posture, and the benefits of muscular training that comes from the PostureTek shirt.
Individual and work related risk factors for neck pain among office workers. Cagnie B, Dannels L, Van Tiggelen D. Eur Spine J 2007; 16:679-686.
Aim/synopsis: Estimate the one year prevalence of neck pain among 212 office workers via self-reported questionnaire.
Results:
- Females had just about a 2 –fold risk in neck pain compared to males.
- The 12 month prevalence of neck pain was 45.5%.
- Significant associations were found between neck pain and often holding the neck in a forward bent posture for a prolonged time.
The effect of postural correction on muscle activation amplitudes recorded from the cervicobrachial region. McLean L. J Electrophys and kines 2005; 15:527-535.
Aim/synopsis: Normalized surface EMG data were recorded in 18 patient. The levator scapulae, upper trap, supraspinatus, posterior deltoid, masseter, rhomboid major, cervical erector spinae and sternocleidomastoid muscles were evaluated during 5 repetitions of seated habitual, corrected, forward-head posture and slouched postures.
Results:
- Corrected posture in sitting demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in muscle activity compared to forward head posture.
- Muscle activity levels and postural changes had the largest impact on the masseter muscle.
Cervical headache: an investigation of natural head posture and upper cervical flexor muscle performance in women. Watson DH, Trott PH. Cephalgia 1993; 13:272-284.
Aim/synopsis: To examine the effects of cranio-cervical posture, isometric strength and endurance of cervical musculature on headaches. Two groups were compared (headache vs. non headache) based off of survey criteria.
Results:
- The headache group was found to be significantly different from the non-headache group in respect to forward head posture, less strength and less endurance of the upper cervical flexors.
- Clinicians should be aware of the relationship between cervical headache and poor craniocervical posture.
- Postural correction and re-education should be an integral part of both prevention and management of patients with cervical headaches.
- The direct relationship of endurance and forward head posture confirms the need for endurance- based training with the goal of improving the efficiency of Type 1 fibers.
Influence of carrying heavy loads on soldiers’ posture, movements and gait. Attwells RL, Birrell SA, Hooper RH, Mansfield NJ. Ergonomics 2006;49(14):1527-1537.
Aim/synopsis: This biomechanical study compares the posture of 20 solders while carrying a back pack with a weight of either 8kg, 16kg, 40kg or 50kg. Measurments of the ankle, knee, femur, trunk and cranivertebral angles were recorded at each increment.
Results:
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Forward head posture is common when carrying heavy loads on back.
- These greater moments imply increased stress on the neck muscles resulting in strain, musculoskeletal dysfunction head and neck aches and craniofacial and shoulder pain.
The relationship between head posture and severity and disability of patients with neck pain. Yip CHT, Chiu TTW, Poon ATK. Manual Therapy 2008;13 148-154.
Aim/synopsis: The crainiovertebral angle of two groups (Neck pain vs. Neck pain free) was compared.
Results:
- Subjects with neck pain revealed a significant forward head posture when compared to the subjects without neck pain.
Determining the relationship between cervical lordosis and neck complaints. McAviney J, Schulz D, Bock, R et al. J of Manipulative Phys Thera. 2005;3:187-193.
Aim/synopsis: The posture of two groups were (Neck pain vs. Neck pain free) compared via x-ray assessment. The posterior tangent method was utilized to measure the angle of cervical lordosis for 277 lateral cervical xrays.
Result:
- Statistically significant association between cervical pain and lordosis.
- Patients with straight and kyphotic cervical curves were 18 times more likely to present with cervical symptoms.
Postural and respiratory modulation of autonomic function, pain and health. Lennon J, Shealy CN, Cady RK et al. AJPM 1994;4(1):36-39.
Aim/synopsis: A distinguished professorial commentary on the effects of posture on respiration, mood, blood pressure and hormonal production.
Result/Interpretation:
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Posture affects all human function from breathing to thinking.
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Inefficient postural and resultant poor breathing habits eventually lead, in extreme cases, to pathologic dysfunction.
The relationship between forward head posture and temporomandibular disorders. Lee WY, Okeson JP, Lindroth J et al. J of Orofacial Pain 1995; 9(2): 161-167.
Aim/synopsis: The posture of patients with temporomandibular symptomatology was evaluated via the craniovertebral angle.
Result/Interpretation:
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The head was in a more forward position in the group with TMJ symptomatology.
Usefulness of posture training for patients with temporomandibular disorders. Wright EF. Domenech MA, Fischer JR. JADA 2000; 202-210.
Aim/synopsis: 60 patients with temporomandibular disorders were divided into a treatment group that received both education and four weeks of postural training and a control group which just received education.
Result/Interpretation:
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Forward head posture is the most common form of poor posture and is assumed by many authors to be related to a multitude of myofascial pain disorders.
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Posture training is a commonly used treatment modality in the care of patients with TMD.
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Significant correlations between postural training and improvement in TMD and neck symptoms.
A comparison of symptomatic and asymptomatic office workers performing monotonous keyboard work. Szeoto G, Straker L, O’Sullivan PB. Manual Therapy (2005) 281-291.
Aim/synopsis: EMG was used to asses kinematic muscular patterns of both symptomatic and non-symptomatic groups during prolonged computer work.
Result/Interpretation:
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Subjects with current and past complaints of neck and shoulder pain demonstrated trends for increased head-neck flexion angels.
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The increased neck flexion angles were associated with significantly higher activity in the upper trapezius muscle and with neck and shoulder discomfort.
The association between children’s computer use and musculoskeletal discomfort. Jacobs K, Baker N. Work (2002) 221-226.
Aim/synopsis: This research team sought to demonstrate the link between computer use and musculoskeletal pain in 152 6th grade students from a Massachusetts public school. Pain surverys were conducted and compared to length of computer use.
Result/Interpretation:
- More then half of students reported musculoskeletal discomfort within the year.
- A significant link was made between the number of computer hours and musculoskeletal discomfort.
- 10.6% students reported severe neck pain while 19% reported moderate neck pain.
- Pain of the neck was the most common complaint over shoulder, elbow, wrist or back.
Forward head posture and neck mobility in chronic tension- type headache: a blinded, controlled study Cephalgia. Fernandez C, Alonso-Blanco C et al. (2005) 26 314-319.
Aim/synopsis: This research team examined the cervical posture in patients with chronic tension-type headaches. Posture was evaluated via the cranio-vertebral angle and compared to a control group (no tension headaches).
Result/Interpretation:
- Patients with chronic tension headaches demonstrated a greater forward head angle.
- A forward head posture may indeed be relevant in the genesis of tension headaches.
- A forward head posture may lead to excessive compression on the facet joints and posterior surfaces of the vertebra bodies thus affecting the biomechanics of the head.
- After endurance training patients with neck pain were better able to maintain their natural upright posture while participating in a 10 minute computer task.
Effect of neck exercise on sitting posture in patients with chronic neck pain. Falla D, Jull G, Russell T, et al. Physical Therapy (2007)87 408-416.
Aim/synopsis: Postural changes in both patients with and without neck pain were recorded while participating in a 10 minute computer task. These two groups then underwent endurance training of neck musculature and were retested.
Result/Interpretation:
- Patients with history of neck pain demonstrated a reduced ability to maintain an upright posture when distracted with computer work.
- After endurance training patients with neck pain were better able to maintain their natural upright posture while participating in a 10 minute computer task.