contraindicated
A contraindicated procedure, technique, or exercise is one that is inadvisable or undesirable. Contraindicated exercises include any which pull a body part out of alignment, or force the body beyond its normal limits. An exercise may also be contraindicated for an individual because of a medical condition; for example, strenuous exercise and isometric exercises are contraindicated for people with serious heart disease. Several ballistic stretching exercises that have been practised for years and advocated in popular magazines and books, are now known to be contraindicated for most people (figure 23). These include standing toe touches and sit-ups performed with straight legs (an abdominal curl-up with legs bent is much safer and more effective at developing abdominal muscles). As a general rule:
• do not overstretch the upper back and neck (e.g. avoid the plough)
• do not hyperextend the lower back (e.g. avoid straight leg sit-ups)
• do not hyperextend the neck (e.g. avoid neck circling)
• do not flex the knee joint more than ninety degrees (e.g. avoid deep squatting)
• do not perform exercises that cause muscle imbalance (e.g. avoid strengthening pectorals at the front of the chest without also strengthening the rhomboids and trapezius muscles at the back).
Figure 23 Contraindicated. Four exercises that may be harmful
