RECOVER FROM PREEXISTING INJURIES WITH STRIVE
Lingering injuries can be a difficult hurdle for many athletes. Here at STRIVE we endeavor to help athletes uncover inefficiencies in their muscle activation. This way, we can provide them quantitative, actionable insights that can help in their training and recovery.
In a recent case study with one of our users, Lauren Whitworth, we were able to find certain factors that she can use to help recover from a long-time injury. Many athletes will rehab from an injury, get back to normal, but once fatigue sets in they fall back on old habits and overcompensate. This can lead to additional discomfort and injuries. So although the injury has healed, their body mechanics are still not back to normal, and sometimes in rougher shape.
By utilizing STRIVE and making small adjustments based on data, we can help athletes reestablish their neuromuscular connection so their muscles can work more efficiently by honing in on the individuals specific needs.
LAUREN’S CASE
Lauren experienced an ACL tear just over 20 years ago, and did not receive well rounded rehabilitation focused on her specific needs – leading to additional discomfort and injuries. Using STRIVE, we were able to identify that her quadriceps were overworked and her hamstrings weren’t firing adequately. This led to overactivation of her quadriceps and underactivation of her hamstrings, eventually leading to an additional meniscus tear due to lack of stability in her knee joint, crepitus, and a misalignment of the patella in her left knee – which caused tension under the patella.
Using STRIVE Performance System and the movement evaluations feature, we were able to attain a quick snapshot of second by second motions and muscle activations – allowing us to get a better glimpse of what the muscles are doing.
Utilizing a standardized method for measurement of muscle strength called Maximum Voluntary Isometric Contraction (MVIC), STRIVE data allowed us an inside peek into her neuromuscular relationship. That is to say the ability for her brain to communicate with specific muscle groups and telling them to fire.
STRIVE DATA – Quadriceps
The graph here illustrates Lauren isolating her quads – Pink denotes her right quad, Green her left. Based on this data, we can see how she is able to successfully isolate and maintain her quad muscle contractions. In comparison, she does this much better with her quads than with her other two muscle groups (hamstrings and glutes). This overuse of her quads has unfortunately led to long-term damage.
Access to data like this helps to inform healing in ways athletes and trainers never have before, turning traditionally qualitative feedback into actionable, quantitative proof.
STRIVE DATA – Hamstrings
When isolating her hamstrings, we found another interesting piece of information. We noticed her right hamstrings were able to maintain a higher level of contraction for a longer time than her right, whereas the left hamstring is still firing, but struggles to maintain the amplitude of contraction over time. From looking at the muscle amplitude, you can see that the contraction in her right hamstring is much more consistent than her left throughout the exercise. This demonstrates an overall weakness and lack of neuromuscular connection, most likely from not being rehabilitated properly following surgery. When that neuromuscular connection isn’t effectively reestablished, then these types of muscle inefficiencies will occur.
STRIVE DATA – Glutes
When focusing on Lauren’s gluteal muscles, we found one of the most insightful discoveries of the study: She was not able to isolate her glute muscles. What happened when she tried to activate her glutes was that her quads and hamstrings were activated, noting a considerable muscle inefficiency. Her right glute had a higher activation than the left, but was still not efficiently isolated during this exercise.
This is a very common issue, and typically becomes an issue if an athlete hasn’t had the proper training. In most cases, glutes aren’t a part of the equation, but when they are it can create these muscle inefficiencies. The athlete will have strong quads and calf muscles, but will have no significant strength in their glutes or hamstrings due to overcompensation. This comes back to the neuromuscular connection not being at the level that it should be. Using STRIVE technology we are able to take an inside look at what the muscles are doing when attempting to isolate a specific muscle group.
MOVEMENT EVAL – Walking
In this evaluation, we had Lauren do a simple walking exercise. By using the graph, you can see that her right side is dominant:
- Quad symmetry: 57% R Leg – 43% L Leg
- Hams symmetry: 59% R Leg – 41% L Leg
- Glutes symmetry: 52% R Leg – 48% L Leg
Lauren’s body has learned to compensate for her left leg injury, and thus is leaning on the right for support. Over time this type of inefficiency can lead to further injuries from overcompensation.
This can happen in people with similar injuries if they do not have a coach to watch their form during training. Athletes are very good at compensating, and many of these issues can be difficult to identify with the naked eye. STRIVE gives a previously unknown viewpoint by allowing us to see what’s going on internally.
MOVEMENT EVAL – Squats
In this exercise Lauren was instructed to perform a squat. As we observed her form, we noticed that she was leaning forward, pushing her knees forward instead of rotating her hips back. We could even hear an audible cracking during this motion due to creptus that had built up in her left knee over time.
STRIVE data illustrated that her right quad is dominant during this motion – 43% activation – her hamstrings slightly firing – with her left hamstring overcompensating at 44% activation – and her glutes were relatively quiet – 17-22% activation. By using STRIVE as a tool we can help Lauren to retrain her body mechanics and hamstring activation, leading to improved efficiency and stability of her knee joint.
MOVEMENT EVAL – Running
It’s important to note that Lauren is a frequent runner and due to that her body has adjusted well over time. With this evaluation, we had Lauren do a short run. STRIVE data displayed her right hamstring and right glute were doing a majority of the work during this motion – 58% and 54% respectively. And although her left quad is firing, her left hamstring has less activation. Again, she is leaning heavily on her right leg, and this has led to chronic issues that have agitated her existing injuries. Due to Lauren being an avid runner, her body has adapted impressively well to this exercise.
Our bodies are exceptional at making adjustments to allow you to do what you need to. But over time, muscle inefficiencies will cause your body to break down creating chronic injuries and irritation. Symmetry is crucial to allow our bodies to perform efficiently. But if one area in the system fails, the others have to pick up the slack and our muscles begin to work in an inefficient manner.
CONCLUSION
This study is evidence of the power of STRIVE. By utilizing STRIVE tech and making small adjustments to her training, we can help to restore her neuromuscular connection so that Lauren can use her muscles efficiently. With small improvements we can help to reduce the overactivation of her quad and improve the stability of her knee joint. Our ability to monitor her muscle activation during rehabilitation helps us to answer three questions:
- Is it working?
- Is it efficient?
- Are we seeing progress?
Lauren has adjusted well to pushing through pain while training. STRIVE gives us the ability to help exercise more efficiently, reduce her pain, and ultimately have more pain-free moments in her everyday life, like spending time with her family. Using the STRIVE Performance System, we can track muscle distribution, progress, and fatigue. Our goal is to help her maintain muscle symmetry to prevent her from falling back on old habits and overcompensating again.
Lauren is currently working with an orthopedic surgeon to help alleviate these issues. Using the STRIVE Performance System as a tool to provide them with the most information possible to aid in her recovery. Lauren plans to continue using STRIVE to track her progress and ensure that her recovery continues.
SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 | STRIVE, the only platform proven to optimize muscle performance for elite athletes and teams, today announced a strategic partnership with Fairly Group, the premier insurance broker and risk management company with hundreds of clients across all major professional sports leagues. Through the partnership, STRIVE is now available to players and teams as a benefit. Numerous players are already using STRIVE to help their return to play from injuries suffered during games.
AUGUST 10, 2021 | STRIVE CEO and Cofounder Nikola Mrvaljevic sat down with the Driving Force Podcast to discuss STRIVE’s place in human performance. From playing professional basketball in Montenegro, to leading his team at STRIVE, Mrvaljevic discusses it all.
