Top 10 Posts of 2021

The posts the fam loved the most! At the end of each year, I like to see what you wonderful folks loved! What the fam….recognized (fam). This year we went IN DEEP with biomechanics. A whole lotta pelvis especially, but also some feet and scapular stuff. If you want to learn more, then definitely check out this year’s top 10. Wishing you the best for 2022! 10. All About The Pelvic Floor My understanding and application of what the pelvic floor is doing as we move and breathe has become much more refined. This post is the best example of that. When you recognize that the pelvic floor contracts segmentally, you’ll look differently on exercise prescription. 9. Split Squat Biomechanics The split squat is an incredibly versatile exercise, and you can really vary it up if you grasp the biomechanical positions that occur as you move through the movement. This post provides a deep dive into this awesome move! 8. Maxillary Expansion Before and After 1 Year in the Crozat Appliance This year, I learned that there are three polarizing topics that you should not discuss with others: Religion Politics Upper airway treatments This post was by far my most controversial, where I outline what happened to myself after a year of being in the Crozat appliance. So far, the results have been pretty solid! 7. Core Training Do rib flares matter? Why do we stack and posteriorly tilt the pelvis? How should the core work as we walk? These were a few of

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Top 10 Posts of 2019

At the end of each year, I like to see what you beautiful…sexy…outstanding people liked. What the fam….recognized (fam). This year, I really loved the topical variety and that the fam really wanted to hear from other people. Having Zac be a bit more like DJ Khaled if you know what I’m sizzlin’.  If you want to check out more about belly breathing, becoming a better leader, and the importance of a warm-up, then definitely check out this year’s top 10. Thank you again for making 2019 amazing! I hope to bring you even bigger and better stuff in 2020.

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November 2019 Links and Review

Every week, my newsletter subscribers get links to some of the goodies that I’ve come across on the internets. Here were the goodies that my peeps got their learn on in November. If you want to get a copy of my weekend learning goodies every Friday, fill out the form below.  That way you can brag to all your friends about the cool things you’ve learned over the weekend. [yikes-mailchimp form=”1″ submit=”Hell yes I want weekend learning goodies every Friday!”]

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Rib Rotation, Shoulder Issues, and Biomedical Education – Movement Debrief Episode 98

Movement Debrief Episode 98 is in the books. Below is a copy of the video for your viewing pleasure, and audio if you can’t stand looking at me. Here is the set list: What does rib external and internal rotation look like? How do I approach improving shoulder mechanics? Any current training considerations for shoulder issues? Why do medical providers often educate in a manner that induces fear-avoidance and fragility? How, as movement professionals, can we deal with these issues?

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Ribcage Pump Handle, Hip Rotation, and Compliance – Movement Debrief Episode 62

Movement Debrief Episode 62 is in the books. Below is a copy of the video for your viewing pleasure, and audio if you can’t stand looking at me. Here is the set list: What are pump handle mechanics at the ribcage? How do pump handle mechanics impact thorax mobility? What treatment would you use to restore pump handle mechanics? What hip rotation limitations would you expect with various infrapubic angles? How would you treat hip rotation deficits? When a client says “it’s not hard for me anymore, why do I need to keep doing it?” how would I respond? If you want to watch these live, add me on Facebook or Instagram. They air every Wednesday at 7pm CST. Enjoy! and the audio version…                  Here were the links I mentioned: Check out Human Matrix promo video below Below are some testimonials for the class Want to sign up? Click on the following locations below: Kansas City, KS on October 27-28th (early bird ends September 30th) Portland, OR on November 10-11 (early bird ends September 30th) December 8th-9th, Charleston, SC February 2nd-3rd, 2019, New Providence, NJ Want to get a handout that explains normal respiratory mechanics? Click here You can learn about infrasternal angles here, here, here, here, here, and of course, here (protip – go in the order of here’s) Below is a move I like to restore pump handle mechanics Hip Extension debrief Below is a move I like to restore hip

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Neurodynamics, Thorax and Pelvis, Scapula, and Muscle Activation

I recently had the opportunity at to do a Q&A session at Enhancing Life, the gym of my dear friends Lucy Hendricks and Dave Wilton. In this Q&A, personal training students from the Lexington Healing Arts Academy asked me a bunch of questions, to which I had to answer immediately. Topics include: Neurodynamics Infrasternal and infrapubic angles Pelvic tilt and rotation Pulling the shoulders down and back The myth of muscle activation Does the warmup transfer? This was an absolute blast, where we dove in deep into these topics. I hope you get a lot out of it. Enjoy! and the audio version Neurodynamics 101 The Relationship Between Infrasternal and Infrapubic Angles The Difference between Pelvic Tilt and Rotation Shoulders Down and Back The Myth of Muscle Activation Human resting muscle tone (HRMT): narrative introduction and modern concepts. Does the Warmup Transfer? Photo Credits Cover photo courtesy of Lucy Hendricks 😉

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Exercise Dosing, Crossfit Shoulder Injuries, Regional Interdependence Education – Movement Debrief Episode 57

Movement Debrief Episode 57 is in the books. Below is a copy of the video for your viewing pleasure, and audio if you can’t stand looking at me. Here is the set list: What factors do I look for to determine I selected the right exercise amount that leads to changes in testing stick? How much of a stimulus do we need before a client sees adaptation? Why do crossfitters always hurt their shoulder? What things can crossfitters work on to reduce injury risk? How do I get buy-in when I am working on an area or a quality that is not directly related to what the client wants to improve? If you want to watch these live, add me on Facebook or Instagram.They air every Wednesday at 7pm CST. Enjoy! and the audio version…                  Here were the links I mentioned: Sign-up for the Human Matrix in Seattle, WA on September 15-16th here Sign up for the Human Matrix in Kansas City, KS on October 27-28th here   Sign-up for the Human Matrix in Portland, OR on November 10-11 here Tim Gabbett Here’s a signup for my newsletter to get nearly 3 hours and 50 pages of content, a free acute:chronic workload calculator, basketball conditioning program, podcasts, and weekend learning goodies: [yikes-mailchimp form=”1″ submit=”Get learning goodies and more”] Bill Hartman Here is a move I am using to get scapular upward rotation Here is a move I use to get subscapularis

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Asymmetrical Muscles, Feet, and Elbow Range of Motion – Movement Debrief Episode 51

Movement Debrief Episode 51 is in the books. Below is a copy of the video for your viewing pleasure, and audio if you can’t stand looking at me. Here is the set list: Why are muscles asymmetrical? Are there any treatment/training considerations for people with marked asymmetries? What are the feet doing in stance? What is the relationship between foot and hip position? How do proximal structures affect elbow position? How important is full elbow mobility? How does rotation impact elbows? What treatments are used to restore elbow motion? If you want to watch these live, add me on Facebook or Instagram.They air every Wednesday at 7pm CST. Enjoy! and the audio version…                  Here were the links I mentioned: Sign-up for the Human Matrix in Seattle, WA on September 15-16th here Sign up for the Human Matrix in Kansas City, KS on October 27-28th here   Sign-up for the Human Matrix in Portland, OR on November 10-11 here Factors Associated With Paraspinal Muscle Asymmetry in Size and Composition in a General Population Sample of Men Postural Restoration Institute Lateral Wedges Arch Pads Ulnar nerve subluxations   Here’s a signup for my newsletter to get nearly 3 hours and 50 pages of content, a free acute:chronic workload calculator, basketball conditioning program, podcasts, and weekend learning goodies: [yikes-mailchimp form=”1″ submit=”Get learning goodies and more”]

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Packing the Shoulder, Chiropractic Adjustments, and Unstable Surface Training – Movement Debrief Episode 43

Movement Debrief Episode 43 is in the books. Below is a copy of the video for your viewing pleasure, and audio if you can’t stand looking at me. Here is the set list: Is there a place for packing the shoulder? Should we coach the shoulders to be down and back? How should we coach the shoulder to move? Do wide infrasternal angles cause more trap issues? Do chiropractic adjustments work? How to improve shoulder external rotation? What are my thoughts on unstable surface training? Is there any research supporting unstable surface training? What are the best ways to work on stability and balance? If you want to watch these live, add me on Facebook or Instagram.They air every Wednesday at 8:30pm CST. Enjoy! and the audio version…                      Here were the links I mentioned: Infrasternal Angles The unreliability of posture Manipulation and mobilization for treating chronic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Spinal Manipulation Institute Restoring Shoulder Motion Here is an example activity I use to restore shoulder external rotation Effects of Strength Training Using Unstable Surfaces on Strength, Power and Balance Performance Across the Lifespan: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis The PEDro Scale for grading evidence The Problem of Transfer with Charlie Reid Here’s a signup for my newsletter to get nearly 3 hours and 50 pages of content, a free acute:chronic workload calculator, basketball conditioning program, podcasts, and weekend learning goodies: [yikes-mailchimp form=”1″ submit=”Get learning goodies and

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Frequently Asked Questions

Over the last year I’ve been asked a bunch of questions, and I’ve tried to answer them immediately. Instead of sifting through all my Movement Debriefs to get your answer, maybe you just want to get a quick answer and then go apply what you learned. Or maybe you can only stand listening to me for so long. I GET IT! Well, look no further. Below is a link to every question that I have answered thus far on my Movement Debriefs. While I won’t continually update this post, going to my FAQ page will be updated after each debrief. If you have a question, just sign up for my newsletter, and when the next email comes by, just hit reply and I will do my darndest to answer yours. [yikes-mailchimp form=”1″ submit=”Yeah, I want Zac to A my Q”] Learn away my fam! Continuing Education   PRI vs. DNS Exercise Coaching Anchoring Old Movements to New Coaching Progressions Getting Changes to Stick Home Exercise Execution Lower Body Death of the Vertical Tibia Slideboards Squats Performance Agility Programming Exercise Programming Periodizing Physical Therapy Sessions Upper Body Dead Hangs   Overhead Pressing Pushups vs. Quad Sets   Health and Wellness The Off-Switch Sleeping Tips for New Parents Stress Response Taking care of your health Personal Development Daily Routines Building Daily Routines Deciding What to Learn Just in Time Learning Embracing Failure Detaching Refocusing Check Your Ego The Art of the Debrief Work-Life Balance Professional Development Questions to ask an interviewer New

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