Brian Schiff

Brian Schiff, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS, is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy, strength and conditioning coach, author, industry speaker, and educator. Currently, he owns and operates Spark Physical Therapy & Performance, a sports medicine clinic in Raleigh, NC. Brian conducts live continuing education webinars and seminars on injury prevention, sports rehab and sport-specific training.
Functionally Fit: BOSU Elite lateral up and overs
BY Brian Schiff
Oct. 15 2014
Lateral quickness is an important part of athletic development. Having the ability to effectively decelerate and then re-accelerate the other way is critical for success in field and court sports. Incorporating... View More
Functionally Fit: ELIVATE Depth Drops
BY Brian Schiff
Oct. 1 2014
Poor landing form and inadequate hip stability is a concern for many of the athletes I work with. One of the first things I like to assess is their ability to land and absorb force. You can learn a lot... View More
Functionally Fit: Landmine torso rotation press
BY Brian Schiff
Sept. 15 2014
Core strength and stability deficits are apparent in many people. The ability to restrain movement while keeping a stable base or pillar is essential for injury prevention. Building prerequisite pillar... View More
Functionally Fit: Sliding split squat
BY Brian Schiff
Sept. 1 2014
Hip flexor tightness is a common finding in my assessments of clients. Restricted flexibility in the iliopsoas and rectus femoris restrict hip extension and create undue stress on the lumbar spine, as... View More
Functionally Fit: Mini-band reaches
BY Brian Schiff
Aug. 15 2014
Increasing hip strength and stability is a common focus in training and injury prevention programs. Current research indicates hip and knee strengthening is more effective than knee strengthening alone... View More
Functionally Fit: Unstable isometric hamstring bridge
BY Brian Schiff
Aug. 1 2014
Using a stability ball for hamstring exercises is commonplace in fitness and rehab settings. I feel the use of isometric exercise is often under rated and under utilized because it is viewed as boring... View More
Functionally Fit: Shoulder scaption
BY Brian Schiff
July 15 2014
It is common to see scapular and rotator cuff dysfunction in clients. Repetitive overhead motion and certain lifts and exercises can expose the shoulder to increased strain, and muscle imbalances may further... View More
Functionally Fit: Lunge with torso rotation
BY Brian Schiff
July 1 2014
Many people display limited thoracic spine rotation. Often, they have asymmetries based on their chosen sport or recreational activity. For rotational activities such as throwing, swimming, tennis, volleyball,... View More
Functionally Fit: Frontal plane reach
BY Brian Schiff
June 15 2014
In the prior two columns, I addressed gluteal activation and overcoming TFL dominance to maximize mechanics. This exercise adds a single-leg component with external load to train the hips, core and lower... View More
Functionally Fit: Mini-band rotations
BY Brian Schiff
June 1 2014
In my last column, I talked about foam rolling the TFL and how it can be synergistically dominant over the gluteus medius. This exercise addresses how to activate the gluteal muscles prior to engaging... View More
Functionally Fit: Bottoms-up kettlebell reverse lunge
BY Brian Schiff
May 1 2014
Overhead athletes of all ages and abilities struggle with postural stability and kinetic chain energy leaks. Unfortunately, asymmetrical loading often creates unavoidable imbalances and movement compensations.... View More
Functionally Fit: Hamstring walk-outs
BY Brian Schiff
April 15 2014
Many athletes and clients struggle with hamstring muscle activation. A normal quad to hamstring ratio would be 3:2, but studies often find that subjects tend to be closer to 2:1 (especially females). This... View More
Functionally Fit: Half-kneeling diagonal lifts
BY Brian Schiff
April 1 2014
Training the core in multiple positions is advantageous for many reasons. I like to work in half-kneeling using various modes of resistance to improve pillar strength. This exercise covers a half-kneeling... View More
Functionally Fit: ActivMotion Bar single-leg rows
BY Brian Schiff
March 15 2014
This exercise involves a variation using an isometric RDL and upper body rowing motion. Single-leg stability and trunk control is an integral part of optimal sport performance and running. More importantly,... View More
Functionally Fit: ActivMotion Bar single leg Romanian deadlifts
BY Brian Schiff
March 1 2014
I utilize the single leg Romanian deadlifts (RDL) in my dynamic movement prep routines, lower extremity rehab and as part of performance training. It can be effectively used to increase mobility, stability,... View More
Functionally Fit: 90/90 trunk rotation with arm sweep
BY Brian Schiff
Feb. 15 2014
The shoulder mobility screen in the FMS often reveals side-to-side asymmetries. It is more common to see hypermobility in female clientele, while their male counterparts exhibit more hypomobility. Overhead... View More
Functionally Fit: Supine leg lowering
BY Brian Schiff
Feb. 1 2014
The active straight leg raise (ASLR) assessment (as part of the FMS) is an essential part of any assessment I do on my athletes and runners. It provides a great look at a client's ability to stabilize... View More
Functionally Fit: Suspension rows
BY Brian Schiff
Jan. 15 2014
The next 3-4 columns will focus on the 10 in one Platform Trainer by TAG Fitness. This exercise demonstrates how to increase upper body pulling strength in a suspended fashion. The design of this equipment... View More
Functionally Fit: Standing march with straight arm cable pull
BY Brian Schiff
Jan. 1 2014
The hurdle step assessment (as part of the FMS) is designed to challenge the body's proper stepping and stride mechanics as well as stability & control in single leg stance. The step leg must perform ankle... View More
Functionally Fit: Leg lock bridge
BY Brian Schiff
Dec. 15 2013
The in-line lunge allows for the observer to pick on flawsor asymmetry by placing the body in a narrow stance with a wide stride toassess hip, knee, ankle and foot mobility and stability of the client.... View More
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