Hip Flexors - the Most Underdeveloped Muscle Group in Strength Training
... appropriate exercises. Two that have traditionally been used for this muscle group are incline sit-ups and hanging leg raises, but in both cases the resistance is basically provided by the exerciser's own body weight. As a consequence these exercises can make only a very limited contribution to actually strengthening the flexors.
Until now the only weighted resistance equipment employed for this purpose has been the multi-hip type machine. When using this multi-function apparatus for hip flexion the exerciser pushes with the lower thigh against a padded roller which swings in an arc. One difficulty with this apparatus is that the position of the hip joint is not fixed and thus it is difficult to maintain correct form when using heavy weights or lifting the thigh above the horizontal.
With the release of the MyoQuip HipneeFlex there is now a machine specifically designed to develop and strengthen the leg flexors. It exercises both hip and knee flexors simultaneously from full extension to full flexion. Because the biomechanical efficiency of these joints decreases in moving from extension to flexion, the mechanism is configured to provide decreasing resistance throughout the exercise movement and thus appropriate loading to both sets of flexors.
The absence until now of effective techniques for developing the hip flexors means that we do not really know what benefits would flow from their full development. However, given that in elite sport comparatively minor performance improvements can translate into contest supremacy, it is an area that offers great potential.
...moreLeague Two Betting Review - 26 February 2006
...A late strike from Simon Hackney kept Carlisle United at the top of League Two. An own goal from Derek Holmes gave hosts Barnet the lead after 53 minutes but Michael Bridges restored parity just 20 seconds later. Hackney netted the winner for the 13/10 Cumbrians with 15 minutes remaining.
Wycombe Wanderers remained level on points with Carlisle after a 2-1 win against Oxford United. Kevin Besty after 17 minutes and veteran Tommy Mooney on the hour secured the points for the 4/6 Chairboys while Yemi Odu...more
FA Cup Fourth Round Betting Review
...arlton Athletic. Jon Fortune gave the Addicks an early lead but the League Two side hit back through veteran Lee Steele. Charlton, 2/7 jollies before kick off, needed a stoppage time winner from Jay Bothroyd to spare their blushes.
The scent of an upset hung in the air before the lunch-time clash between League Two side Cheltenham Town and Newcastle United. Despite their efforts, Newcastle scored two goals in as many minutes just before half-time through Michael Chopra and Scott Parker to justify their odds of 8/15.
Rank outsiders on the day, 14/1 Port Vale, gave Aston Villa a scare with five minutes remaining to claw the score back to 2-1, although highly-rated midfielder ensured there would be no upset with a third goal in the 90 minute to please the big hit...more
super Bowl Preview
...Its been a while since weve seen the Steelers in a super Bowl (10 years). And weve never seen the Seahawks in the big game. Both teams have two weeks to prepare and come off relatively easy wins in the Championship games. This game is at a neutral site indoors (Detroit), but does anything stand out as far as how these teams fared on the road this season? The Steelers are playing their best football at the right time of the year, riding a 7-0 SU, 6-1 ATS run the last 7 games. Most impressive is that they were the No. 6 seed in the afc and come off wins against the bengals, Colts and Broncos all on the road! That makes Pittsburgh 8-2 SU/ATS on the road this season! Seattle is only 5-3 SU, 4-4 ATS on the road, although they did average an impressive 27 ppg away from home. Edge to the Steelers.
Philosophically, both teams are similar. Coaches Bill Cowher and Mike Holmgren are veteran coaches whove taken their teams to the Super Bowl before. Holmgren makes his third trip, winning once and losing once with the Packers. Both coaches have built their teams with a philosophy around ball control and bal...more
