Joint actions

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Muscular actions

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Nerves

 

Nerves which may undergo neural tension:

• Radial (mostly before lift off)

• Median

• Ulnar

• Femoral

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Notes

 

The adductor muscles of the hips are also activated to keep the femur parallel to each other/prevent an abduction of the lower limbs. Adductor magnus has an important role in achieving this simultaneous extension, internal rotation and adduction. This action also allows the hips to rise higher, enabling a deeper backbend. As this posture stretches the hip flexors, individuals with tight hip flexors may find an increased tendency to abduct and externally rotate the thighs during hip extension.

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Mobility of the upper limb is important in this posture. Muscles to note are the rotator cuff to help stabilise the upper body, and length in latissimus dorsi and pectoralis major (tightness will restrict mobility of the upper limbs).

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To avoid hyperextension of the lumbar spine, the focus should be on activating the gluteal muscles instead of the lumbar spine to enable a deeper backbend. The wrist flexors are also intensely stretched in this position and care should be taken not to strain or sprain the muscles or ligaments of the wrist flexors. 

 

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Precautions & Contraindications

 

Avoid or modify if any of the following are present:

• Back injuries

• Carpal tunnel syndrome

• Diarrhoea

• Headaches

• Heart problems

• High or low blood pressure

• Shoulder impingements

• Pressure in eyes

• Pregnancy