ZenoLink

Clark Klaasen: Interview - Stage 1 2011 Q School

2011-10-21T07:20:00.000-07:00

Every athlete dreams of what it would be like to go PRO and wonders if they have what it takes to compete. We'd like to invite you to join us next week for two exciting new events with professional golfer Clark Klaasen as he prepares for Q School on his way to breaking through to the PGA Tour.

An interview with Clark... gain insight from his personal perspective on his golf game, swing, training and in general life as professional golfer since graduating from Duke University and the Duke Golf program.

Clark Klaasen: Swing Biomechanics and Training - Stage 1 2011 Q School

2011-10-18T19:13:00.000-07:00

We will be documenting ZenoLink golfer Clark Klaasen's training process as he attempts to capture that elusive PGA "tour card". Prior to each stage of Q School we will review his ZenoLink data and discuss how we are using the data to design a unique training cycle for each stage. We will also schedule time to interview Clark himself to discuss his game, training and strategy.

This webinar will focus on data analysis of his current swing biomechanics and the PST training program designed to peak his body and his biomechanics for Stage 1 play. We will also discuss the overall strategy for implementing training over the course of the next three months for each of the 3 stages.

2011-10-07T06:35:00.000-07:00

Webinar about The Biomechanics of Shot Speed in Lacrosse. Power and Speed in a Lacrosse shot are a result of effective lower body mechanics, core differentiation and bracing and stick whip.

During this webinar, we will begin to discuss the three key areas that allow a player to develop shot speed.

1) How effective lower body mechanics create power
2) How Power is converted into rotational speed through the core
3) How rotational speed produces stick speed via "whip"

In addition to discussing the biomechanics of movement, we will overview aspects of using ZenoLink's Progressive Skills Training (PST) to effectively train power and stick speed through improved coordination.

Design an Off-Season Training Program Using PST

2011-09-14T08:41:00.000-07:00

Make the most of an off season program by integrating ZenoLink Progressive Skills Training (PST).

In this webinar, we will discuss how to design an effective off season program that will give you an edge next spring/summer. Use PST (Progressive Skills Training) to drive the process. Augment your skills/coordination training with more generalized strength/condition/mobility/power to optimize your efforts.

Don't just "hit the gym" this off season to stay in shape and work on general strength, conditioning and speed, instead create a game plan to improve coordination and performance. Use a ZenoLink 3-D analysis to create a blueprint for improvement based on your individual strengths and weaknesses. Employ specialized coordination/skills training via PST based on the blueprint to ensure success.

The Biomechanics of Pitching: Maximum Velocity and Efficiency.

2011-09-01T19:58:00.001-07:00

Maximize throwing velocity while minimizing the risk of mechanical injury through improved biomechanics and throwing efficiency.

The keys to maximum throwing velocity and efficiency.

1. lower body drives the power process
2. core turns power into rotational speed
3. maximum arm speed comes from shoulder internal rotation velocity

Watch at YouTube

The Biomechanics of Hitting: power and efficiency.

2011-08-29T07:53:00.001-07:00

There are three areas of hitting biomechanics crucial to power:

1. Lower body mechanics
2. Core - differentiation
3. Bat release - bracing

Gaining power through efficiency of movement marries maximum bat speed with consistency and accuracy.

Watch at YouTube.

The Biomechanics of Base Stealing.

2011-08-19T10:34:00.000-07:00

The first three steps make the difference. And the KEY to the first three steps is Push / Pull pattern. This webinar covers the basics of the biomechanics of acceleration from lead off position. It explains how a runner pushes against the ground to accelerate forward but then quickly pulls forward before their drive leg leaves the ground to swing through. The key to explosive acceleration is explosive well times push against the ground, pull and core counter torque.

view at YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTouXcLhmzU

Progessive Skills Training (PST) Primer - video

2011-08-05T06:40:00.000-07:00

Recorded webinar on Progressive Skills Training.

The webinar was a primer on the basics of progressive skills training - concepts and application.

view video at YouTube: Progressive Skills Training (PST) Primer

PST. Progressive Skills Training.

2011-08-03T07:44:00.000-07:00

Training the body in ways that duplicate or utilize activity specific pattern/movement has the greatest impact on improving activity specific coordination.

To truly harness a body’s functional capacity for strength, mobility, power and achieve significant gains in golf swing performance, a golfer’s physical ability must be shaped into a more efficient and effective coordination. The principles of specificity of training must be applied. Simply stated, the closer an exercise is to producing the actual demands of the activity the more impact it will have on performance.

To create the highest level of specificity, we use a knowledge base of the actual biomechanics of a golf swing. The biomechanics of the golf swing allow us to very exactly define activity specific coordination. It is from this definition that we can create an exercise program with the highest degree of specificity.

Ideally, the ability to quantify an individual’s golf swing movement patterns using a three-dimensional motion capture technology will allow for the most individualized program based on the golfer’s activity specific strengths and weakness.

The first thing to understand is that any training program must follow some basic progression and periodization for best results. That means we must first start by developing a strength, mobility base before we train speed. We must also start small with general movements and advance to more complex highly specific training.

Some basic principles of developing a Progressive Skills Training^TM program for golf.

The first step is to create a solid base with the lower body. In order to do this we have to train the golfer to grip the ground firmly and rotate body segments: the pelvis, upper torso and arms without letting go of the connection to the ground.
The second step is to learn how to engage the core musculature and stabilize the spine while firmly connecting to the ground through the feet and at the same time rotating body segments.
Next we must teach the body how to swing the club around a stabile core and a connected lower body. The arms must remain relaxed and pliable while the lower body and core contract strongly to maintain stability. When this is accomplished the club can be accelerated to great speeds with very little relative effort.
Once we have developed a base of movement, we can then use the principles of speed development including plyometrics and overspeed/underspeed to advance the training.

Progressive Skills Training^TM does not replace fitness training or swing instruction, but instead ties the two together. The most effective way to approach this aspect of training is in phases throughout a year.

Phase 1 would focus on skill development and re-training certain aspects of the golf swing movement pattern based on an individual’s biomechanical strengths and weaknesses. This phase would be similar to the strength/mobility base training one would undergo in a standard fitness periodization process. This phase would generally last 8 weeks but could vary depending on circumstances.

Phase 2 would focus on speed development through movement pattern. This phase would be similar to a ballistic/speed training segment of a power-speed training periodization process. This phase would generally last 8 weeks.

Phase 3 would be more geared toward in-season training. In this phase emphasis would be placed on maintaining off-season gains with some key target areas for continued improvement. A combination of phase 1 and 2 exercises would be employed. During an in-season program, mini phase 1 and phase 2 cycles which would last approximately 4 weeks could be designed to help a golfer peak for key events.

ZenoLink - Activity Specific Coordination

2011-07-29T08:26:00.000-07:00

How the body moves and sequences during an activity is key to performance and avoiding injury. Utilizing training for improved golf swing performance is best accomplished through improving activity specific coordination.

The body moves in very specific patterns during the golf swing. These patterns can be referred to as activity specific coordination. The more efficient and effective the patterns of movement or coordination the better the golf swing performance.

Some keys to golf swing coordination:

The body uses the back swing as a counter movement in an effort to more effectively load the muscles during the down swing. As a result, the body must effectively and efficiently change direction from back swing to down swing to take advantage and properly load and sequence muscular activity. Stability – lower body and torso/core are crucial to this process. A key aspect to stability and golf coordination is the ability to rotate body segments, in particular the pelvis, upper torso and arms around a stable core. Maintaining a stable core depends heavily on lower body stability and mechanics.
The lower body creates a force couple or torque to initiate the down swing and start the speed generation process. In order to do this, the feet must first be connected solidly to the ground and weight/force must be applied into the ground through the balls of the feet. The feet grip the ground with a downward force while at the same time pushing along the surface of the ground to accelerate the pelvis. There is a very specific blend of linear component or forward weight shift and rotational component.
The pelvis is connected to the upper body via the core musculature and a stretch-shorten process. Core muscles are rapidly stretched during the downswing and respond by contracting strongly. This action produces muscular force as well as a transference and amplification of speed between the pelvis and upper torso. The pelvis acts as an “anchor” to “whip” the upper body. This sequence and core muscular engagement are crucial to an effective and efficient development of club head speed. This same process occurs between the upper torso and the arms. Speed developed at the pelvis is amplified as it is passed to the upper torso and then again to the arms.
As the club head nears the impact zone, the body braces to release the club and accelerate the club head. The ability to brace is directly related to lower body connection to the ground through the feet and core strength. At the same time, the arms must stay relaxed to allow speed to be fully transferred to the club head through impact.

ZenoLink uses 6dof, 3-D motion data to measure "activity specific coordination" or golf swing biomechanics. From this analysis strengths and weaknesses in an individual's coordination/biomechanics can be quantified and assessed. A very specific individualized program can be developed that will directly impact golf swing coordination/biomechanics... these programs are called Progressive Skills Training (PST).

3-D Analysis Debunks Conventional Wisdom On Sports Injury Prevention

2010-12-08T13:56:00.000-08:00

Research Shows How Athletes Significantly Reduce Injuries While Gaining a

20-30% Improvement On Performance

Ask any coach, trainer or athlete about how to prevent injuries and the importance of stretching will come up. However, there is little evidence to suggest it is that beneficial. A recent study published by USA Track and Field showed that there is virtually no difference with injuries between runners who static stretched and those that did not. You can’t look at injury prevention without looking at performance improvement. True injury prevention lies between physiology and technique—and ZenoLink is one of the most accessible ways to analyze this.

ZenoLink is a cutting-edge biomechanics analysis and training tool used by athletes of all levels to improve athletic performance and significantly reduce injuries – through the power of 3-D. Over 15 years of biomechanical research using 3-D Motion Analysis shows that athlete’s have the ability to gain 20-30% improvement on their performance if they focus on one thing: coordination. The payout: athletes will naturally reduce their chance of injury due to their increased performance.

“Improving coordination, not stretching, is what increases efficiency of movement and reduces stress on joints and therefore risk of mechanical injury,” says ZenoLink founder and biomechanical expert, Chris Welch. “This is how we look at remedying injuries – we use our 3-D technology to diagnose performance. From this analysis, we can evaluate true performance output and root causes of power leaks, inefficiency and injury potential. We then prescribe a Progressive Skills Training solution to improve your performance, efficiency and coordination, which naturally reduces your risk of injury.”

By zeroing in on what’s really happening during an individual’s sports activity, ZenoLink provides athletes, coaches and trainers an easy and affordable solution that significantly reduces an athlete’s risk of injury while dramatically increasing their performance. Using specialized 3-D Motion Analysis, ZenoLink captures data related to functional movement, and turns it into a digital model of the athlete’s motion, taking the guesswork out of identifying mechanical flaws or restrictions in coordination that may be causing nagging chronic injuries.

Here’s how ZenoLink works:
Step 1: Collect Data. The athlete is filmed in their natural athletic environment: hitting a golf ball or baseball, serving a tennis ball, firing a lacrosse shot. The process is easy – without the use of sensors, wires or a vest.

Step 2: Data Analysis. The video is made into a 3-D model of the athlete at the ZenoLink performance lab in Endicott, NY. Their biomechanical engineers interpret the movement of the model using specialized software to gather measurements including kinetic linking, joint range of motion, body segment coordination and outcome parameters.

Step 3: Get Results! ZenoLink provides the athlete with a specialized program that targets specific areas to help them get dramatic results toward improving their athletic potential and reduce their chances of injury. Athletes as well as their coaches and trainers can access their results on zenolink.com to incorporate the PST program into their current strength and conditioning routines.

The process of incorporating ZenoLink into existing training programs is simple, effective and technically powerful, with proven results.

Improving Your Baseball performance with 3-D! Part 3: The Efficient Base Runner

2010-11-24T13:49:00.000-08:00

ZenoLink Founder and Biomechanical Expert, Chris Welch, Offers Expert Commentary in this Three Part Series on the Use of 3-D Motion Analysis to Improve Baseball Player’s Performance

A popular misconception about base running is that it’s all about speed. Speed is great, but efficiency is better, especially when it comes to the score. A player eventually reaching home plate often depends on their ability to strategically steal second or run to third on a ground ball. Despite base running being a fundamental skill for a team’s ability to score runs, crucial mistakes still happen at all levels of the game. ZenoLink founder and biomechanical expert, Chris Welch, explains where these errors lie.

“The first three steps are the most important in base stealing,” says Welch. “The key to getting a jump start and a successful stolen base lies in the player’s ability to ‘push and pull’ – push against the ground with maximum force, then rapidly pull the foot off the ground and swing the leg forward.” Another key Welch contributes to successful base runners is good core stabilization. “Core stabilization allows for the ability to create a counter torque between the pelvis and the upper torso, which is the key in creating the ‘pull’ part in the push/pull action, which is where most athletes lose a step”

Chris Welch is the founder of ZenoLink and the leading expert on sports injury prevention and increased performance for athletes as it relates to one simple solution: coordination through understanding biomechanics.

Golf's Best Kept Secret

2010-11-22T12:14:00.000-08:00

We wanted to share with you first hand what Tiger Wood’s new swing coach, Sean Foley, Anthony Kim’s coach, Adam Schriber and the legendary David LeadBetter have to say about ZenoLink in a recent article that appeared in Global Golf Post today titled: Golf’s Best Kept Secret. We would love the chance to work with you and bring the power of 3-D technology directly to your game.

Read the full article: click here.

Check out Global Golf Post: click here.

How to Improve Your Baseball Performance Utilizing the Power of 3-D - Part 2: The Consistent Pitcher

2010-11-15T23:50:00.000-08:00

ZenoLink Founder and Biomechanical Expert, Chris Welch, Offers Expert Commentary in this Three Part Series on the Use of 3-D Motion Analysis to Improve Baseball Player’s Performance

Entering the World Series, the Rangers relied heavily on their offense and ace, Cliff Lee, to carry them to victory. While their pitching flop in game one was rare, this kind of inconsistency proves to be costly for the whole team. ZenoLink founder and biomechanical expert, Chris Welch, has discovered through his research exactly how a team’s strongest player can become their weakest link.

The key to a successful pro pitcher is the ability to maintain their velocity consistently and to have control of every pitch. Welch’s research shows that arm speed and the ability to accelerate the pitch at maximum velocity is predominantly a function of the pitchers ability to internally rotate the shoulder, while simultaneously extending the elbow. “When this is done effectively, internal shoulder rotation speeds can reach upwards of 8000 degrees/second at ball release,” says Welch. “The ability to create this high speed and maintain control consistently is directly related to lower body mechanics and core stability. Explosive leg power, stride length and direction are all crucial to initiate the speed development of the arm.”

Chris Welch is the founder of ZenoLink and the leading expert on sports injury prevention and increased performance for athletes as it relates to one simple solution: coordination through understanding biomechanics.

Stay tuned for Part 3: The Efficient Base Runner.

How to Improve Your Baseball Performance Utilizing the Power of 3-D - Part 1: The Well-Rounded Hitter

2010-11-09T12:46:00.000-08:00

ZenoLink Founder and Biomechanical Expert, Chris Welch, Offers Expert Commentary in this Three Part Series on the Use of 3-D Motion Analysis to Improve Baseball Player’s Performance

The 2010 season has been labeled “the Year of the Pitcher” since good pitching is what puts your power hitters to a halt. But are power hitters what really raise the score? Traditionally, power hitters strike out more often. According to ZenoLink founder and biomechanical expert, Chris Welch, their rotational lower body power may mean more home runs, but they are also at a disadvantage for off-speed pitches, meaning more strikeouts.

“The best hitters are a blend of linear and rotational output,” says Welch. “With ZenoLink, we can evaluate a batter’s true performance output and root causes of power leaks, inefficiency and even injury potential. From this analysis, we provide ways to improve their coordination through a better Center of Mass and Center of Pressure (linear) backed by strong and steady torque (rotational). This gives a batter the steady swing needed to make contact with the ball, but with more power behind it, thus lowering their strikeouts and raising their ability to hit strategically.”

Chris Welch is the founder of ZenoLink and the leading expert on sports injury prevention and increased performance for athletes as it relates to one simple solution: coordination through understanding biomechanics.

Stay tuned for Part 2: The Consistent Pitcher.

Can Tiger Woods Use Technology to Replace His Swing Coach?

2010-06-07T15:46:00.000-07:00

Prior to Tiger Woods beginning his title defense at the Memorial Golf Tournament, he announced his decision to rely on technology including video rather than replace Hank Haney his former swing coach. This decision was discussed in a recent USA Today article by Jerry Potter titled “For now, no swing coach: Tiger chooses to call the shots”. Woods was quoted in this article as saying: "That's the great thing about technology," he said. "We can use video. That's what I've been doing and been working on it that way."

We here at ZenoLink don’t think that this is all that surprising. Technology has advanced to the point where knowledgeable athletes can better impact their own performance.

A common misconception especially in golf is that an athlete’s analysis of mechanics and performance will lead to over thinking: “paralysis by analysis”. We find just the opposite is true, the better an athlete understands his/her body and what it is capable of, the more aware they are of movement, the better they perform. This is true whether they choose to work with a coach or on their own.

Technology like ZenoLink makes Tiger’s approach more possible today than ever before. Standard video can become the medium for quantitative 3-D biomechanical assessment. This sounds complicated, but in reality it’s about understanding coordination.

Woods isn’t the first golfer nor will he be the last to employ this approach. In the mid 90's golfer Greg Norman at the peak of his career used our technology, in combination with an in-depth understanding of his body and swing to perfect his game as the #1 golfer in the world. Greg interacted directly with our technology as well as relying on key swing coaches and physical trainers who also employed the ZenoLink information.

The ability to measure and quantify movement patterns allows an athlete to affect change at its core. In other words, re-shape mechanics by re-shaping how the body moves. This has been proven to be the only effective way to impact functional performance. Understanding biomechanics is the first step, becoming more proprioceptively aware of your body is the next and then developing more effective coordination through feel is the last step.

Whether Tiger chooses to work with another swing coach sometime in the future or not, his ultimate success, the same as every other athlete professional or amateur, lies in the ability to better understand his own body and its impact on swing mechanics and playing performance.

Working with Kaylin Isler on Lower Body Mechanics - Golf swing

2010-05-07T08:38:00.000-07:00

Training on "unstable" services is a very popular thing to these days. In golf many times, golfers are asking to perform swings on foam rollers or other unstable platforms in an effort to promote balance and better proprioception and stability. Unfortunately unless a golfer has good lower body mechanics, which most even at elite levels do not, you are actually going to degrade lower body power input and negatively impact weight shift and torque patterns.

The one unstable surface we have found that promotes good lower body mechanics at the same time providing an unstable platform is the Reebok Core Board.

In this video post I have chosen excerpts from a progressive skills training (PST) workout with zenoLINK/welch-e technologies sponsored professional golfer Kaylin Isler. Training took place at Total Concept Golf in Southlake, Texas outside of Dallas. In this video we discuss the use of a Reebok Core Board as a unstable surface which provides feedback and training while at the same time helps to promote effective lower body mechanics.

video blog: Kaylin Isler - core board