Fulcrum, Lever, Sport – A Biomechanical Approach to Injury Prevention and Performance Improvement

by Michael Ross, DC, CSCS, DACRB
Personal Training Quarterly September 2026
Vol 13, Issue 2

Share:

This article explores the biomechanics of stability and movement through the lens of a fulcrum and lever system, providing personal trainers strategies to reduce injury risk and improve performance.

Paywall block issue

This article is not configured properly for members or paid content.
isMemberOnly: {{isMemberOnly}} | isPaidContent: {{isPaidContent}}
spc: One or more parts of the product SPC is missing.

Read the full article

View the video

Login to view more


{{discountDesc}} Valid thru {{discountEnds}}

This {{ogType == 'video.other' ? 'video':'article'}} is available with a NSCA membership

This {{ogType == 'video.other' ? 'video':'article'}} can be purchased for {{prices}}
Price includes membership pricing and promotions

Purchase this {{ogType == 'video.other' ? 'video':'article'}}. Price range: {{prices}}
Price range includes membership pricing and promotions

Become a Member Add to Cart Login

This article originally appeared in Personal Training Quarterly (PTQ)—a quarterly publication for NSCA Members designed specifically for the personal trainer. Discover easy-to-read, research-based articles that take your training knowledge further with Nutrition, Programming, and Personal Business Development columns in each quarterly, electronic issue. Read more articles from PTQ »

Share:

REFERENCES

  1. ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer. (4th Ed.) Lippincott, Williams, & Wilkins: Baltimore, MD; 2013.
  2. ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription. (8th Ed.) Lippincott, Williams, & Wilkins: Baltimore, MD; 2009.
  3. Andersson, GBJ, and Winters, JM. Role of muscle in postural tasks: Spinal loading and postural stability. In: Winters, JM, Woo, SLY (Eds), Multiple Muscle Systems. Springer: New York, NY; 1990.
  4. Bacurau, RF, Monteiro, GA, Ugrinowitsch, C, Tricoli, V, Cabral, LF, and Aoki, MS. Acute effect of a ballistic and a static stretching exercise bout on flexibility and maximal strength. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 23(1): 304-308, 2009.
  5. Behm, DG, and Chaouachi, A. A review of the acute effects of static and dynamic stretching on performance. European Journal of Applied Physiology 111(11): 2633-2651, 2011.
  6. Biering-Sørensen, F. Physical measurements as risk indicators for low-back trouble over a one-year period. Spine 9(2): 106-119, 1984.
  7. Biering-Sørensen F, Thomsen, CE, and Hilden, J. Risk indicators for low back trouble. Scandinavian Journal of Rehabilitative Medicine 21(3): 151-157, 1989.
  8. Hagert, E, Lluch, A, and Rein, S. The role of proprioception and neuromuscular stability in carpal instabilities. Journal of Hand Surgery - European Volume 41(1): 94-101, 2016.
  9. Hansen, JW. Postoperative management in lumbar disc protrusions: Indications, method and results, II follow-up on a trained and an untrained group of patients. Acta Orthopaedica Scandinavica 35(sup71): 3-47, 1964.
  10. Kankaanpää, M, Taimela, G, Laaksonen, D, Hänninen, O, and Airaksinen, O. Back and hip extensor fatigability in chronic low back pain patients and controls. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 79(4): 412-417, 1998.
  11. Lee, JH, Hoshino, Y, Nakamura, K, Kariya, Y, Saita, K, and Ito, K. Trunk muscle weakness as a risk factor for low back pain. A 5-year prospective study. Spine 24(1): 54-57, 1999.
  12. Liebenson, C. Rehabilitation of the Spine. (2nd Ed.) Lippincott, Williams, & Wilkins: Baltimore, MD; 2007.
  13. Mannion, AF, Weber, BR, Dvorak, J, Grob, D, and Müntener, M. Fibre type characteristics of the lumbar paraspinal muscles in normal healthy subjects and in patients with low back pain. Journal of Orthopaedic Research 15(6): 881-887, 1997.
  14. Moffroid, MT. Endurance of trunk muscles in persons with chronic low back pain. Journal Rehabilitation Research and Development 34(4): 440-447, 1997.
  15. Novy, DM, Simmonds, MJ, Olson, SL, Lee, CE, and Jones, SC. Physical performance: Differences in men and women with and without low back pain. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 80(2): 195-198, 1999.
  16. Riemann, B, and Lephart, S. The sensorimotor system, part I: The physiologic basis of functional joint stability. Journal of Athletic Training 37: 71-79, 2002.
  17. Rissanen, A, Heliövaara, M, Alaranta, H, Taimela, S, Mälkiä, E, Knekt, P, et al. Does good trunk extensor performance protect against back-related work disability. Journal of Rehabilitative Medicine 34(2): 62-66, 2002.
  18. Schultz, AB, Cromwell, R, Warwick, D, and Andersson, G. Lumbar trunk muscle use in standing isometric heavy exertions. Journal of Orthopaedic Research 3: 320-329, 1987.
  19. Schultz, AB, Haderspeck-Grib, K, Warwick, D, and Portillo, D. Use of lumbar trunk muscles in isometric performance of mechanically complex standing tasks. Journal of Orthopaedic Research 1: 77-91, 1983.
  20. Simic, L, Sarabon, N, and Markovic, G. Does pre-exercise static stretching inhibit maximal muscular performance? A meta-analytical review. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports 23(2): 131-148, 2023.
  21. Sterling Education. Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Physics. Sterling Test Prep; 2019.
  22. Tayashiki, K, Kanehisa, H, and Miyamoto, N. Does intra-abdominal pressure have a causal effect on muscle strength of hip and knee joints? Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 35(1): 41-46, 2021.
  23. Tüzün, C, Yorulmaz, I, Cindaş, A, and Vatan, S. Low back pain and posture. Clinical Rheumatology 18(4): 308-312, 1999.
  24. Werner, DM, and Barrios, JA. Trunk muscle endurance in individuals with and without a history of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 35(1): 118-123, 2018.

 

Learn about the benefits of NSCA Membership »

About the author

Michael G. Ross, DC, CSCS

Contact Michael Ross

Contact Michael Ross

Your first name is required.
Your last name is required.
Your email is required.
Your message is required.
Your reCaptcha is required.

Your email was successfully sent to Michael Ross

View full biography

has been added to your shopping cart!

Continue Shopping Checkout Now

Dash

By using our chat you consent to your data collected by us and our chat provider, BettyBot.ai


Full Page Experience Privacy Policy