Oblique Sling Exercise Progressions and Assessment

Slings (also referred to as chains and/or loops) are a functional component of the musculoskeletal system. If we think of our torso as a core cylinder, there are multiple slings that wrap around the cylinder in different orientations. The cylinder depends on strength and balance from the slings to provide a stable foundation. This article will cover a brief overview of the sling systems, as well as cover the anterior and posterior oblique sling exercise progressions and assessment!

Muscle Anatomy of the Core Cylinder Slings

So why are slings important⁉ The body’s core cylinder depends on the slings to facilitate dynamic movement and stability across multiple joints throughout the body‼Slings help to transfer force through the trunk and facilitate rotational movements. It is the muscular and myofasical components of slings that make powerful baseball/cricket pitches, baseball/golf swings, and lacrosse/hockey shots possible.

‼This information is based on a functional school of thought viewing the musculoskeletal system. This post does not include every myofasical line/meridian described elsewhere. We did not go into depth describing the respected myofascial components of slings‼

 

Anterior and Posterior Oblique Sling Assessment

As physios, assessing muscle function in our clients is one of our biggest tools for determining tissue source like contractile vs non-contractile tissues, the extent of the pathology like myotome screening, or muscle weakness. Newer research has shed light that side to side differences can only be detected by manual muscle testing if strength is at a minimum less than 75% of the other side, meaning that:

‼ MMTs are a TEST OF WEAKNESS rather than a TEST OF STRENGTH‼

Even so, MMTs still holds significant value in the scenarios listed above and should be in the repertoire of every practicing clinician. Because muscles NEVER work in isolation, wouldn’t it be important to assess if a PATTERN is weak? Rather than a specific muscle?

We sure think so, and that’s why we’ve fallen in love with the anterior and posterior oblique sling MMT shown in the video. It’s particularly useful with athletes who most need the rotational strength and stability required in sports. Try it on your athletes and you’ll be surprised at the HUGE side to side differences you may find. In many sports where one arm or leg is dominant like baseball pitchers, it may be expected that one pattern and sling is “stronger” than the other. However, in other sports while bilateral patterns are necessary and movement coordination/strength should be similar like in tennis, hockey, soccer, you would expect that each side performs similarly when tested. Try it out with your athletes and let us know what you find!

 

Posterior Oblique Sling Exercise Progressions

Shown in this video clip is a 4 step progression for the POSTERIOR OBLIQUE SLING. The posterior oblique sling consists of the latissimus dorsi muscle, the opposite side gluteus maximus muscle, and the interconnecting thoracolumbar fascia. This sling crosses at the level of the lumbosacral junction and provides what is known as force closure to the sacroiliac (SI) joint. Force closure provides stability to the SI region by allowing it to distribute load between the lower extremities, spine, and upper extremities. This force closure allows for coordinated movement for activities such as walking, climbing stairs, and just about every single sport-specific movement.

Take throwing for instance: energy is generated in one body region (the legs), transferred through the hips/pelvis, and released through the upper extremity (hand) to deliver a pitch that can be released at over 100 mph. That’s a lot of power that needs to be generated and transferred effortlessly from one body region to another. That power transfer is where myofascial slings come in.

To Perform:

Progression I: Begin in the quadruped position. Perform hip extension using the glute on one side and shoulder extension on the other side using the lat.

Progression II: Progress into a half kneeling position. Focus on driving your front heel into the ground to maintain stability.

Progression III: Next, work into a lunge position. You can hold the lunge position or work through the range of motion. Make sure to keep your weight forward.

Progression IV: Last but not least, incorporate a step up. Really focus on the end position here. Fully squeeze the glutes at the top and come to terminal hip extension while the shoulder is fully extended.

 

Anterior Oblique Sling Exercise Progressions

The anterior oblique sling consists of the external and internal obliques, the opposite side adductor muscle, and the connecting adductor abdominal fascia. The anterior oblique sling plays a huge role in accelerating and decelerating the body during sport-specific movements including change of direction. While most exercises like planks or crunches can strengthen isolated sections of the anterior oblique sling, it is most beneficial to progress into dynamic training utilizing myofascial slings.

Shown in this video is one of my favorite progressions of anterior oblique sling training! To perform:

Progression I: Begin in supine. Maintain an isometric squeeze of a ball in between your legs. The most important part of the curl up is that the motion and power come from the bottom up. Think of activating the adductor first, then the internal oblique, then the external oblique. Remember: you are curling up from your legs, NOT curling down from your torso.

Progression II: Progress to tall-kneeling. The same rules apply as above. Notice the order of movement. Pelvis, torso, arms. Bottom up again.

Progression III: Move to half-kneeling. Use a theraband to provide some resistance into hip adduction.

Progression IV: Finally, assume a split stance. The same rules apply. Bottom up. Use a theraband for resistance. These exercises should hit your core much differently than traditional core training. Pay attention to your order of recruitment. Remember – bottom up, not top down!

 Liked this article? READ: Partner Core Workout Series