Sunday, November 20, 2011

Anatomy of a boxer






By Judi Abate BD. and Dr. Pietro Baio DC.
When you hear the word muscle a few things come to mind. The most common response is the shellfish (mussel) served in spicy red sauce or possibly a really way cool 60’s type car. The dictionary definition of the word muscle reads:any body organ consisting of fibrous tissue that can be contracted or expanded to produce bodily movement. In simple terms, muscles allow the body to move with the help of our bones,tendons and other organs.
A boxer to be successful in his sport needs a great body with strong and powerful muscles. Boxing is not a sport for couch potatoes. During training and in the ring a boxer is forever in motion using his approximately 625 plus muscles contained throughout his body and if his muscular system is not at optimum performance that can spell trouble with a capital T or capital I for injuries.
As fans we may be acutely aware of how well or how poorly our fighter is doing in the ring but only the boxer and trainer know the actual source behind the boxer’s execution of punches thrown and the push and pull of each and every muscle which provide proper or improper body movement.
Muscles are very important to us all but more so to the serious athlete that uses his body as a source of financial security and entertainment for the fans. Without muscles we would all resemble Halloween skeletons not a pretty sight and without giving you a complete anatomy and physiology lesson that might put some of those muscles to sleep I will try my best to inform and entertain you, the readers on some of the most popular and sexiest muscles found in the perfect physique of a professional boxer. So get ready to learn a little about those glistening, hard-working, well-developed, and important muscles.
Pay attention, there may be a pop quiz later.
Neck (sternocleidomastiod, scalenes) are important for neck movement and structuctual support of the head, secondary muscles of breathing. If weak and tight will lead to dropping your head and a possible knockout.
Chest (Pecs) The internal rotation of the upper arm, shifts shoulder forward. Gives snap to your punches and helps when throwing hooks.
Lower Back ( Lats) Helps with internal rotation and allows you to snap your punches.
Upper Back ( Traps) controls the shoulder and neck. Holds shoulder up. Helps you take shots to the head. Elevates the shoulder, controls head motions (backwards, side to side, turning left to right.)
Middle Back ( Rhomboids) Holds the shoulder back and in place.
Arms ( Biceps) Shoulder flexation. Brings arm up closer to shoulder. Good for uppercuts.
(Triceps) Extends forearm and takes hand away from shoulder. Helps to make the arm straight. Good for straight punches and jabs.
Shoulders (Delts) Front ( keeps arms up in front of you) Back ( Keeps arms straight back) and Side ( Helps bring arms out to side.) Keep these muscles strong in order to keep hands up.
Waist/Middle Body/Stomach, Abs ( rectus and transverse abdominals,internal and external obliques) protect lower internal organs, breathe better,helps trunk and pelvic alignment. Helps the boxer take better body shots. Obliques and quadratus lumborum help trunk/ body rotation when your throwing punches.
Buttocks ( Gluts) Keeps the hip straight (aligned) and helps with the rotation of the hip during punches.
Legs ( Quads) Helps to bring the legs up (leg raises)and extend out the knee (knee extension). Helps with forward movement. Shock absorption during moving around the ring.
( Hamstrings) Brings the leg back(hip extension)Helps in bending knee and with the groin muscles (adductors) keeps legs close to body (think squeezing your thighs together, or bring your legs together during jumping jacks).
Calves- (Gastonemlus, soleus,and plantarus) and Shins (Tibialis anterior, posterior and Fibularis major, minor) helps control the ankle and the foot. This includes movements like jumping rope, keeps a bounce in your step, and helps you plant your feet to throw a punch.
Dr. Pietro Baio DC
Performance Edge Chiropractic, P.C.
7112 Ave U
Brooklyn, NY 11234
(917)-309-5464

DrBaio@PEChiro.com
PEChiro.com




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