TPI Physical Screen - Cervical Rotation Test
By Mark Pajich
A TPI golf screen is a physical assessment of how well your body moves in relation to your golf swing. There are 16 movement patterns that we check and depending on your results we may find that you have one or more of the 12 most common swing faults, each of which will have a direct effect on your game.
This series of articles will go through the TPI Physical Screen and how each movement pattern can impact your golf. Today’s article will focus on movement pattern no 11, The Cervical Rotation Test.
WARNING: All TPI Tests should be performed with no pain whatsoever. Perform in a safe environment with proper form.
Movement Pattern No 11: Cervical Rotation Test:
The objective of the Cervical Rotation Test is to measure if your cervical spine (the neck area) has sufficient mobility in rotation and flexion. This test mainly targets the top portion of the backswing where your head maintains position and your chin touches your collarbone. If you do not have enough mobility in these areas, you could develop neck pain through muscle pulls and quick movements in a non-optimal position.
The Cervical Rotation Test
Firstly, stand up straight with your feet together and your arms to the side. Now rotate your head to the right and tilt your head down to where your chin meets your collarbone. Simply repeat on the left side as well. Ideally, you would like to achieve a position where your head is completely rotated to the side and your chin is touching your collarbone (without opening your mouth).
Watch Adam demonstrate the proper technique in the following video. You can check yourself in a mirror to see if you are doing it correctly.
Swing faults: TPI research shows that if you have limitations in the Cervical Rotation Test then you have a 10% chance of C-Posture and a 5% chance of loss of posture, flat shoulder plane, and early extension. These swing faults can cause you to have inconsistent impact, neck and upper trap strains, and lower back pain.
Exercise: Half-Kneeling Cervical Rotation
Start getting into a half-kneeling position where your right leg is placed in front and the other is on the ground. From here, bring the opposite arm of the front leg straight up overhead and the other arm extended down by your side. Now simply rotate your head toward your arm that is overhead and do this 8 to 12 times for each side without pain. To do it on the other side, simply switch legs and repeat the same procedure. Watch following video for the proper technique.
Exercise: Supine Cervical Rotation
Start getting into a lying position with your face up. From here, bring the right arm straight up overhead and the other arm extended down by your side. Now simply rotate your head toward your arm that is overhead and do this 8 to 12 times for each side without pain. To do it on the other side, simply switch legs and repeat the same procedure. Watch the following video for the proper technique.