•Issues:

Low cardio capacity

muscular weakness

balance instability/ poor flexibility

reduced distance (yardage) in the golf swing

excess body fat

•Observations:

Connie is a 61 y/o married female who is very socially and physically active.  Connie loves to play golf and wished to improve her fitness and golf game using diet and exercise.  Connie was using Weight Watchers to meet her nutrition goals, even though I thought she could benefit greater by working with me.  Since Connie made this investment, I was willing to work with her nutrition system as long as her weight loss remained consistent.  Physically Connie was overweight and showed signs of excessively tight thigh adductor muscles and weak gluteus medial muscles (side buttocks).  This was evident in my initial screen of her physically and also evident in her gait. 

•Plan:

Improve cardio fitness and accelerate weight loss using aerobic cardiovascular exercise

Improve muscular weakness using strength training.  Use of small free weights, body weight exercise and rubber resistance tubing.

Basic balance training for an initial phase until instability training could be implemented. 

SMR techniques to assist with flexibility in her inner thigh and overall flexibility

Sport specific exercises to improve core and rotational ability to assist in the golf swing

Monitor and maintain consistent weight loss allowing Connie to use Weight Watchers as long as there was a steady weight loss occurring.

•Results:

In 16 weeks Connie and I were able to achieve all of her goals with the exception of meeting the final weight loss goal.  The stats are as follows:

Cardio:  Increase from 3 minutes to 15 minutes of nonstop aerobic stair climbing

Strength:  total body strength and muscular endurance increased significantly

Balance/flexibility:  total basic balance achieved and some advanced balance exercises were performed well.  The use of SMR techniques allowed me to statically stretch Connie.  This allowed me to advance Connie to dynamic stretching that could be done on her own in any location, without any equipment. 

Golf:  This is the largest gain for this client.  Connie was initially physically challenged to ride in a cart and finish 18 holes of golf with some reasonable energy levels at the finish.  Upon ending our training sessions; Connie was able to walk 9 holes of golf pulling her own golf bag on a cart, gained 50 yards in distance off the tee box, and was able to play 36 holes of golf in total in a single day!

•Summary:  Connie’s success is what any true professional dreams of.  A remarkable improvement in lifestyle and functional ability is a blessing to see occur.  Sure, when I get an athlete to the next level, or help a client lose 10 or 15 pounds. I am very pleased and happy to help people reach their goals.  But to visually see a physical improvement in someone from applying the correct physical training concepts is rewarding. 

Case Study 1:  Ms. Connie Golfer