The Measure of Man Flashcards
The average trainer, coach, or physical educator must have a functional understanding of how
The average trainer, coach, or physical educator must have a functional understanding of how differing anatomical phenotypes (different body dimensions and body-segment lengths) affect the way proper technique looks. To do this, one must first have a reference point and h
Questions regarding body length s
an individual’s torso is longer or shorter than average for someone of that height, whether the arms are of, average length or not, or whether there is a difference in leg length that is significant to the movement in question. If there is a difference it needs to be localized: Is it in the upper arm vs. forearm, or in the shin vs. the thigh? A savvy coach will have a knack for this determinatio, al ask a question: “How do you know someone’s arms are longer or shorter than normal?” It was a simple but very good, insightful, and germane question. But it is a question that, as far as I know, is not treated in the exercise literature anywhere.
revisit the works of Leonardo da Vinci. Virtually everyone exposed to exercise, anatomy, sport, or da Vinci has seen his drawing of a man in a circle in a square, known as th
Vitruvian Man (after Vitruvius, an architect contemporary to da Vinci who analyzed human dimensions based on four finger widths). Lots of sport and exercise academic programs and even fitness businesses use the Vitruvian Man in their logos. But the Vitruvian Man is not just a cool drawing; it is da Vinci’s attempt to map average human dimensions (the average human phenotype or average anthropometry). Da Vinci’s notes on human proportions include the following observations:
The length of a man’s outspread arms, From the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, The greatest width of the shoulders , from elbow to tip of the hand
The length of a man’s outspread arms is equal to his height.
From the bottom of the chin to the top of the head is one eighth of his height.
The greatest width of the shoulders contains in itself the fourth part of man. From the elbow to the tip of the hand will, be the fifth part of a man.
From the elbow to the angle of the armpit will be the eighth part of man.
UPPER ARM SHOR TOR LONG
We can figure out whether a trainee’s upper arm is long or short if we know that, on average in the eight-head model, the elbow is at about the same level as the belly button. An elbow observed to be well below the level of the belly button indicates an arm—or at least an upper arm—that is longer than average, if the torso length is average. Likewise, an elbow well above that level indicates
THIGH ARE ABOUT
TWO HEAD LONG
SANTCH grip and arm length
tle wider stance with the toes pointed out a little more than normal is needed to allow the proper lifting mechanics to happen, and to give the belly a little room to hang ou
Long thighs, short thigh
Long thighs necessitate a higher hip starting position (and therefore a more horizontal back position) off the floor in pulling motions. Shorter thighs mean a lower hip position and a steeper back angle
