<b>Introduction </b>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">As we have discussed in previous blogs the science of movement known as </span><a href="https://www.biomechanicseducation.com/what-is-biomechanics/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">biomechanics</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is a very big subject that can be quite complex.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Within this blog we will break it down further to discuss 2 fields of biomechanics, how they differ, how they influence each other and how the science can often be misunderstood. </span>

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<b>What is extrinsic biomechanics?</b>

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<span style="font-weight: 400;"><img class="size-medium wp-image-34061 alignright" src="https://www.biomechanicseducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/sven-mieke-optBC2FxCfc-unsplash-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" />While both extrinsic and intrinsic biomechanics are about understanding how to improve performance and risk of injury, extrinsic biomechanics is more specifically what we can </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">see</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> when our client performs a movement by looking at WHAT is happening. </span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">An example could be seeing a client's knee buckle inwards (knee valgus) while they perform a squat. Our basic training would teach us to coach the client to ‘</span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">push their knees out</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">’. This might work sometimes but on those occasions that it doesn’t, or if over time it's still a struggle for our client, we may want to consider the intrinsic biomechanics model….</span>

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<b>What is intrinsic biomechanics?</b>

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<span style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.biomechanicseducation.com/understanding-the-importance-of-intrinsic-biomechanical-principles/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Intrinsic biomechanics</a> considers the anatomy of the substructures (myofascial, skeletal, neural) while we analyse and measure movements to better understand WHY our client is producing that movement, in that particular way. </span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">So to use the example given above of a client's knees buckling inwards during a squat, a practitioner who is trained in intrinsic biomechanics would have the ability to evaluate and assess their client’s pelvis, spine, shoulders, knees and feet (including myofascial, skeletal, neural). This would allow them to identify which of these areas may be resulting in the presentation of a knee valgus. This could also be a combination of dysfunctions and adoptions due to the way our amazing bodies compensate through the kinetic chains within us.</span>

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<span style="font-weight: 400;"><img class="size-medium wp-image-33792 aligncenter" src="https://www.biomechanicseducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/shutterstock_1520541617-300x230.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="230" /></span>

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<span style="font-weight: 400;">Of course once we are able to identify which body part and which substructure isn't moving as well as it should we can prescribe the most appropriate intervention. Practitioners who are able to understand and assess their clients intrinsic biomechanics also have the ability to re-test immediately after their client has performed the intervention technique, thus enabling them to be more objective about the causes of a clients movement limitations.</span>

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<span style="font-weight: 400;">How great it is to be able to </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">prove</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> our value immediately!</span>

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<b>Similarities</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span>

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<span style="font-weight: 400;">Both relate to movement and biomechanics</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Both are observed from outside </span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Both are important for understanding movement </span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Both are key for any practitioner whose service involves movement</span>

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<b>Differences</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span>

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<span style="font-weight: 400;">Extrinsic - This is the most common of the 2 examples. It is what we see during a movement, gait analysis, video analysis, motion monitoring and so can often rely on equipment to make a true assessment. It is what we can watch on the TV, when we are at an event, when we see another runner. It's the WHAT of movement analysis - ‘knee valgus’</span>

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<span style="font-weight: 400;">Intrinsic - This is less commonly understood and a newer interpretation of the science of biomechanics. It has been developed from over 20+yrs of research on 4.5k subjects to better understand what is going on under the skin to produce what we see. This requires specialist training and a deeper knowledge of anatomy along with a lot of hands on practice. The hands-on practice allows practitioners to assess a variety of body types using the same system but to be able to write a bespoke programme for the individual. </span>

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<b>Importance in understanding the difference - case study example</b>

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<span style="font-weight: 400;"><img class=" wp-image-34059 alignright" src="https://www.biomechanicseducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screenshot-2022-10-19-at-15.15.36-300x167.png" alt="" width="365" height="203" />The difference is vital to best understand &amp; appreciate what we might do to address any issues identified.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">What we might see a runner do extrinsically is ‘over’ pronate. This could also be done using very expensive video gait analysis equipment. This would show the ‘faulty’ movement i.e. pronation. Extrinsically this might suggest an orthotic or a shoe specifically designed to reduce pronation. Which may in fact be the correct intervention.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">However intrinsically there are many reasons why we might see ‘over’ pronation. Therefore if we don’t assess our runners' intrinsic biomechanics we may miss potential causes that are not necessarily obvious during the movement of running. There may also be combinations of causes and often there are. </span>

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<span style="font-weight: 400;">Potential intrinsic contributions to the presentation of ‘over’ pronation in a runner..</span>
<ul>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img class="size-medium wp-image-34060 alignright" src="https://www.biomechanicseducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screenshot-2022-10-19-at-15.17.03-176x300.png" alt="" width="176" height="300" />Functional leg length discrepancy </span></li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dysfunctional pelvis</span></li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tight lateral spine flexors </span></li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Overactive shoulder protractors </span></li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ligament dominance </span></li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tight calves</span></li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tight sciatic nerve </span></li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Loose subtalar joint</span></li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Loose midtarsal joint</span></li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Low arch height</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-weight: 400;">To name a few!</span>

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<b>Conclusion</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span>

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<span style="font-weight: 400;">Extrinsic biomechanics may be misinterpreted without the practitioner having an understanding of the intrinsic biomechanics details. </span>

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<a href="https://www.biomechanicseducation.com/what-is-a-biomechanics-coach/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Biomechanics Coaches</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> specialise in intrinsic biomechanics as they have a deeper understanding of the musculoskeletal system. Their skill is in using their ability to assess their clients intrinsic biomechanics to specifically write programmes and advise them on ways to move more freely.</span>

Would you like a <a href="https://www.biomechanicseducation.com/how-can-you-get-a-job-in-biomechanics/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">job in biomechanics? </a>

Maybe we can help! Why not get in touch and talk to one of us about a <a href="https://www.biomechanicseducation.com/biomechanics-coach-diploma-2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">career in intrinsic biomechanics</a>!

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