Is the overhead press safe? Answers to this question and many others as you learn about CrossFit and Functional Fitness from Dr. Gavin Ongsingco, an experienced physical therapist and board certified orthopedic specialist.
Gavin Ongsingco is a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), board certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS), and Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). He works at Activcore in Denver, Colorado, located just a mile from the popular Cherry Creek Shopping District. As a Crossfitter himself, Gavin has a special interest in treating strength and fitness athletes. He holds a Bachelors degree in Exercise Science from California Lutheran University, as well as a Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine. He is also a graduate from Rancho Physical Therapy's Orthopaedic Residency Program.
This review examines the literature on weightlifting overhead pressing derivatives (WOPDs) and provides information regarding historical, technical, kinetic and kinematic mechanisms as well as potential benefits and guidelines to implement the use of WOPDs as training tools for sports populations. Only 13 articles were found in a search of electronic databases, which was employed to gather empirical evidence to provide an insight into the kinetic and kinematic mechanisms underpinning WOPDs. Practitioners may implement WOPDs such as push press, push jerk or split jerk from the back as well as the front rack position to provide an adequate stimulus to improve not only weightlifting performance but also sports performance as: (1) the use of WOPDs is an additional strategy to improve weightlifting performance; (2) WOPDs require the ability to develop high forces rapidly by an impulsive triple extension of the hips, knees and ankles, which is mechanically similar to many sporting tasks; (3) WOPDs may be beneficial for enhancing power development and maximal strength in the sport population; and, finally, (4) WOPDs may provide a variation in training stimulus for the sports population due to the technical demands, need for balance and coordination. The potential benefits highlighted in the literature provide a justification for the implementation of WOPDs in sports training. However, there is a lack of information regarding the longitudinal training effects that may result from implementing WOPDs.