Golf Seminar :: Knee Injuries (Feb 26th)

Helping Golfers to Stay in the Game!

Come join us to learn more about the latest surgical and non-surgical treatment options for knee injuries.

- Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation tips

- Q&A session with seminar instructors

- Raffle prizes

- Refreshments

Date - Thursday, February 26th

Time - 6pm to 7pm

Location - Tetherow Golf Academy (click for map)

Cost - $10 / Participant

RSVP - ccooper@taiweb.com (Limited Seating Available)

	Chris Cooper PT, DPT, CSCS Doctorate of Physical Therapy from University of Montana.   Level 3 Certified Titleist Performance Institute Medical and Fitness Professional.
	Timothy Bollom, M.D. University of Minnesota Medical School, AOA, Minneapolis, MN   American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and American Board of Orthopedic Surgery Subspecialty in Sports Medicine

Kinematic Sequence Basics

Article from mytpi.com - By Greg Rose

If there's one thing that I have learned over the past 15 years, it is that no two golfers have the same golf swing. But for some reason every time I meet a golfer it seems like all they want to do is visually compare their golf swing to another golfer. This type of mentality never made sense to me. Why would I want to compare myself to another golfer who probably doesn't have the same physical structure or physical capabilities as me, and therefore, could never feel what I feel when I swing the golf club. The problem comes from us not having a better way to evaluate the golf swing. What we should do is figure out if our golf swing is efficient or inefficient and then make corrective changes based on that information. Unfortunately, we have never been able to measure efficiency of the golf swing, only how it looks or its style, until now.

Haven't you ever wondered how someone like Jim Furyk won the U.S. Open with that golf swing? Or how players like Raymond Floyd or even John Daly have had such successful careers with such unorthodox golf swings. Fortunately, with the aid of new 3-D motion capture systems, researchers have been able to identify the true measurement of a good golf swing. The answer is not how close your swing looks like Ernie Els or Tiger Woods on a video camera, the answer is how efficient your swing measures compared to the best players in the world. In other words, there are a lot of ugly golf swings on the PGA Tour, but they all seem to get the job done. The question you should be asking yourself is how can I make my golf swing get the job done?

Using data collected from 3-D motion analysis systems, we are now looking at how golfers generate speed and transfer this speed or energy throughout their bodies. We have found a certain sequence or signature of how they get this speed to the club head. We call this the “Kinematic Sequence”. The amazing thing is that all great ball strikers have the same kinematic sequence or the same signature of generating speed and transferring speed throughout their body. That means if you compare Ernie Els kinematic sequence to Jim Furyk's kinematic sequence it's hard to show a difference. That is a bold statement since there is an obvious difference on a video camera between these two players. All great ball strikers begin by generating speed from their lower body and transferring this speed through their torso, into their arms, and then into the club. What style they use to complete this signature is completely unique to each player.

So the key points to know about the kinematic sequence are the following (refer to graph above):

1) There is an identical sequence of speed or energy generation for all great ball strikers. That sequence is: lower body first (red line on the graph above), trunk or torso second (green line), arms third (blue line), and the club last (maroon line). This sequence occurs during the downswing.

2) Each segment of the body builds on the previous segment, increasing speed up the chain. (Red is less than green, which is less than blue, which is less than maroon).

3) Each segment of the chain slows down once the next segment begins to accelerate. This is due to the distal segment pushing off the proximal segment.  Imagine a child jumping off their dad's shoulders in a swimming pool.  As the child jumps, the force rapidly slows down the dad's energy.  This causes a sequential deceleration or stabilization of the segments.

4) Unorthodox styles may have no effect on your ability to generate a good kinematic sequence. In other words, Jim Furyk and Davis Love can have the same kinematic sequence. With that said, there are three things that have been shown to create efficiency or kinematic sequence breakdowns:

                    1) Improper swing mechanics.
                    2) Physical limitations
                    3) Improperly fit equipment.

Throughout the mytpi.com website, you will learn more about the kinematic sequence and how it is changing the way we analyze and work with players. The kinematic sequence is probably the number one most important piece of information that we use in assessing a new golfer.

3D Golf Swing Analysis :: K-Vest Certified

Chris Cooper is a K-Vest and K-Trainer certified therapist, and uses this very technology as part of the Golf Performance and Training program he offers.

K-Vest is an all-in-one capture, analysis, and training solution that allows golf teaching professionals to easily measure swing efficiency and movement patterns while the real-time training experience improves swing faults in less time. K-VEST’s turn-key solution includes:

- TPI 3D Software: TPI’s 3D software allows users to measure swing efficiency and compare this 3D motion to the world’s top PGA, LPGA, and Champions Tour players.

- K-SWING Summary:  Easy-to-read 3D analysis provides a simple roadmap to communicate game improvement to students.

- Video Analysis:  Simultaneously capture 3D and video and compare in split-screen mode.

- Real-Time Feedback:  Use real-time visual and auditory feedback to improve virtually every aspect of the golf swing including set up, backswing, and impact.

K-TRAINER, a 2-sensor wireless system, is the most intuitive swing and fitness training solution available in the golf market. The system, which debuted on the Golf Channel, allows professionals and golfers to improve body and swing mechanics through real-time visual, auditory, and kinesthetic feedback. From full-swing and short-game drills, to stability and mobility exercises, users can choose from over 50 pre-installed training exercises that can be customized to fit any swing philosophy or physical limitation.

- Swing & Short-Game Drills:  Choose from a library of swing-customizable drills that will improve a golfer’s set up, full swing and short game.

- Golf Fitness:  Choose from a library of stability and mobility exercises that will help players improve the body-swing connection

Rep Counter:  The rep counter allows users to watch each repetition and count down as they successfully complete a swing drill or fitness exercise.

Auto Advance:  The ultimate solution for unsupervised training. The auto advance feature automatically loads the next drill or exercise once a drill or exercise set is completed.

Our Golf Performance program currently offers several packages that include assessment and training  using the K-Vest system. Please visit our Packages webpage to learn more about what currently is being offered.

Please contact Chris Cooper at ccooper@taiweb.com for further questions about the K-Vest and K-Trainer system.

Client Success Story :: Mary Jensen

I have worked with Chris Cooper for physical therapy following two surgeries.  The first was in 2011 following rotator cuff surgery when I tore two tendons, and then again in 2013 following hip replacement surgery.

Following both surgeries, Chris worked with me to regain the mobility and flexibility needed for everyday activities, and to rebuild the muscles that had atrophied as a result of the injuries suffered and recovery from surgery.

I am a golfer and my motivation was to get back in shape to play golf without risk of further damaging these joints.  Chris was excellent.  I met with him 3 times per week initially, then moving to 2 times per week.  At each session he measured my progress relative to flexibility and strength.   He worked with me on specific exercises, showing me the correct movement and explaining the purpose of each exercise.  He developed a plan for me to get back to golf – first to regain the flexibility and strength and then a plan to ease into golf – e.g. starting with chipping and putting.

I followed his guidance and it paid off!  I have fully recovered from both surgeries.  I play golf 3-4 times per week, usually walking the course and have absolutely no pain or discomfort in either joint.  I also work out regularly and hike – again no issues.

I trust Chris Cooper completely.   He was focused on my needs.  He did not rush the recovery, but developed a plan that would ensure my full recovery.  He was thorough in his explanations and open and responsive to my many questions.  And I appreciated his style – calm, attentive, respectful – and he has a wonderfully gentle sense of humor.  It was a delight working with Chris.

In addition, the whole team at Therapeutic Associates was on board with my plan.  The scheduling of appointments and work with other specialists was easy and efficient.  All the staff was very pleasant.

I wholeheartedly recommend Chris Cooper and Therapeutic Associates at the Athletic Club of Bend.

Sincerely,
Mary Jensen