| scoobysworkshop.com Rather than get involved in the endless and fruitless arguments about the difference between a stiff legged dead lift and a romanian dead lift, I have "made up" my own exercise - the "Scooby Dead Lift" or SDL. This is an important exercise for two reasons. First its an isolation exercise for hamstrings and most people have disproportionately weak hamstrings which can lead to poor kneecap tracking and knee pain. The second reason this exercise is so important is that because of the slow deliberate form, it is a great way to build your spinal extensor strength and more importantly, to build the spinal extensor endurance. Why is muscular endurance of the spinal extensors so important? Because studies have suggested that the muscular endurance of the spinal extensors is what keeps you from having lower back pain! Biering-Sorensen F., "Physical Measurements As Risk Indicators for Low Back Trouble Over a One-Year Period," Spine, Vol. 9, No. 2, 1984, pp. 106-119. Here is the form of the SDL: use opposing grip back is motionless in neutral position bar slides along the front of the leg legs straight but not locked isolation exercise, only hip rotates go slowly, 2s up 2s down stretch at bottom stop at any hint of back pain |
