How the Crossover Effect Works to Preserve Strength & Size During Injury Recovery
June 11, 2024 by Admin
by Dr. Chris “Marv” Marvin DC
So you get an injury and have to take time off of lifting with a particular limb on one side….what do you do with training?
Do you stop going altogether?
Do you only do your legs if your arm is immobilized?
Or, what about not only just doing legs, but your healthy arm as if nothing else had happened?
The science points to the last option being the best answer with something known as the crossover effect.
The crossover effect refers to the phenomenon where strength or muscle gains occur not only in the trained limb but also in the contralateral (opposite) limb. This concept has been explored in the context of rehabilitation, particularly when one limb is injured or immobilized.
KEY FINDINGS/APPLICATIONS:
Always consult with healthcare professionals on whether you are a good candidate for using this method (such as us myself or another performance/rehab focused chiropractor, physical therapist, etc).
Dr. Chris “Marv” Marvin is a performance chiropractic clinician and co-owner of Coastal Performance Chiropractic in Seabrook, TX specializing in nutrition, fitness, human performance and rehabilitation. Dr. Marv has been involved in health, wellness and fitness for over 16 years. He earned his BS in Exercise Science from Sonoma State University and his Doctorate of Chiropractic from Palmer College in San Jose, California as class valedictorian.
Dr. Marv acquired extensive experience in the physical therapy space, as well as in the corporate gym environment as a fitness coach and specialist. He owned and managed a private training studio, specializing in one-to-one and online training.
He has received notable media mentions from media outlets including Men’s Health Magazine, The Huffington Post, and The San Diego Union Tribune. In addition to his exercise expertise, Dr. Marv has spent over a decade learning about evidence-based nutrition and supplementation strategies for both the general population and the elite athlete, culminating into writing a book on nutrition.
In his personal life, he has competed as a sprint triathlete before falling in love with bodybuilding and beach volleyball.
If you reside within the Houston Bay Area, you can learn more about all he offers with performance chiropractic care and nutrition coaching here.
If you reside within the state of TX you can learn more about telemedicine video calls here.
Inquiries for online hypertrophy coaching and fitness/health consults can be made here.
The best way to reach out to him and see how he approaches performance chiropractic care and hypertrophy training is via his Instagram.
So you get an injury and have to take time off of lifting with a particular limb on one side….what do you do with training?
Do you stop going altogether?
Do you only do your legs if your arm is immobilized?
Or, what about not only just doing legs, but your healthy arm as if nothing else had happened?
The science points to the last option being the best answer with something known as the crossover effect.
The crossover effect refers to the phenomenon where strength or muscle gains occur not only in the trained limb but also in the contralateral (opposite) limb. This concept has been explored in the context of rehabilitation, particularly when one limb is injured or immobilized.
KEY FINDINGS/APPLICATIONS:
- Unilateral Training and Contralateral Strength:
– Research suggests that unilateral (one-sided) resistance training can lead to strength improvements not only in the trained limb but also in the contralateral limb. – This effect is thought to be mediated by neural adaptations, such as increased motor unit recruitment and neural drive. - Maintaining Strength during Immobilization:
– When one limb is immobilized due to injury or surgery, incorporating heavy resistance training on the opposite limb can help maintain strength and muscle mass in the immobilized limb. – Studies indicate that neural adaptations play a crucial role in preserving strength in the inactive limb. - Cross-Education Effects:
– Cross-education refers to the transfer of training-induced strength gains from one limb to the opposite limb. – Research has demonstrated cross-education effects in various populations, including healthy individuals and those undergoing rehabilitation. - Preservation of Muscle Size:
– Some studies suggest that the crossover effect extends beyond strength to include the preservation of muscle size (hypertrophy) in the contralateral limb during periods of unilateral immobilization. - Neurological Adaptations:
– Neural adaptations, such as increased corticospinal excitability and changes in motor cortex representation, contribute to the crossover effect. – These adaptations facilitate improved motor performance and muscle strength in the untrained limb.
Always consult with healthcare professionals on whether you are a good candidate for using this method (such as us myself or another performance/rehab focused chiropractor, physical therapist, etc).
Dr. Chris “Marv” Marvin is a performance chiropractic clinician and co-owner of Coastal Performance Chiropractic in Seabrook, TX specializing in nutrition, fitness, human performance and rehabilitation. Dr. Marv has been involved in health, wellness and fitness for over 16 years. He earned his BS in Exercise Science from Sonoma State University and his Doctorate of Chiropractic from Palmer College in San Jose, California as class valedictorian.
Dr. Marv acquired extensive experience in the physical therapy space, as well as in the corporate gym environment as a fitness coach and specialist. He owned and managed a private training studio, specializing in one-to-one and online training.
He has received notable media mentions from media outlets including Men’s Health Magazine, The Huffington Post, and The San Diego Union Tribune. In addition to his exercise expertise, Dr. Marv has spent over a decade learning about evidence-based nutrition and supplementation strategies for both the general population and the elite athlete, culminating into writing a book on nutrition.
In his personal life, he has competed as a sprint triathlete before falling in love with bodybuilding and beach volleyball.
If you reside within the Houston Bay Area, you can learn more about all he offers with performance chiropractic care and nutrition coaching here.
If you reside within the state of TX you can learn more about telemedicine video calls here.
Inquiries for online hypertrophy coaching and fitness/health consults can be made here.
The best way to reach out to him and see how he approaches performance chiropractic care and hypertrophy training is via his Instagram.
