AHS18

Physical activity is a critical part of human wellness. Our bodies are designed to serve us in athletic endeavors for a lifetime. However, in modern societies, people often misuse their bodies and develop musculoskeletal challenges that lead them to abandon sports and physical activity. Of all the common everyday movements that are poorly executed, bending stands out as one of the most harmful. We will explore the merits of hip-hinging—the healthy bending form of our ancestors—and how it can help us avoid disc damage, ligament laxity, and muscle dysfunction in athletics and beyond. We will also examine why healthy bending is commonly found in high-level athletes, but rarely in the general population. Using images of athletes and non-industrialized populations for inspiration, participants will be guided in healthy hip-hinging.