Section 1 Theory

Highlights of fascial anatomy, morphology and function

Surprising facts about fascial physiology and biochemistry

Sex hormonal effects on tendons and ligaments

Stress loading and matrix remodeling in tendon and skeletal muscle: Cellular mechano-stimulation and tissue remodeling

Mechanical loading and adaptive responses of tendinous tissues

Nutrition and loading to improve fascia function

Hypo- and hypermobility

Elastic storage and recoil dynamics

Water and fluid dynamics in fascia

What is it good for? An evidence-based review of stretching in sport and movement

Biotensegrity in sport and movement

Myofascial continuity: Towards a new understanding of human anatomy

Mechanical force transmission across myofascial chains

Myofascial force transmission to synergistic and antagonistic muscles

Fascia as sensory organ

Fascia and musculoskeletal injury: An underestimated association?

Classification of athletic injuries to muscular tissues

Fascia, exercise and oncology

Section 2 Assessment methods

Assessment of joint mobility

Imaging techniques (ultrasound)

Mechanical assessment

Palpation and functional assessment methods for fascia-related dysfunction

Section 3 Clinical application

Integrating clinical experience and scientific evidence – Roadmap for a healthy dialog between health practitioners and academic researchers

Fascial Fitness

Basic principles of plyometric training

Eccentric training: The key for a stronger, more resilient athlete?

Foam rolling and roller massage effects and mechanisms

Fascial stretching

Food for the fascia: Molecular and biochemical processes

Walking: The benefit of being on two legs

Functional training methods for the runner’s myofascial systems

Shoes or no shoes during locomotion and exercise – Training potential for fascial structures of the lower extremity

Overarm throwing in humans

The secret role of fascia in the martial arts

The world as a playground: Ninja and parkour training

Anatomy Trains in motion

Fascial form in yoga

Yin yoga as a fascia-oriented practice

Fascia-focused Pilates training

Three-dimensional fascia-oriented training

Dance

Kettlebell training

Fascia-oriented strength training in a conventional gym environment

Rehabilitation in sport medicine

How to train fascia in soccer

Movement therapy for breast cancer survivors

Mental imagery, fascia and movement

Periodized fascia training for speed, power, and injury resilience

Reviewed for the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy by Andrew Holbrook, Chartered Physiotherapist, UK

A book of nearly 600 pages would normally seriously intimidate me. But once you understand how this publication is structured, you discover how easy it is to read.

The new improved second edition of Fascia in Sport and Movement has over 50 contributors from the worlds of science and clinical practice. With 23 new chapters, the book claims to go beyond simplistic explanation, recognising the role of fascia in human performance.

The book is divided into 3 sections: Theory, Assessment, and Clinical Applications. The first section provides the underpinning knowledge that is later referred to throughout the rest of the book and is where the reader will begin to broaden their knowledge of the tensional network of fascia. Concise and clear, this section is easy to read, filled with useful graphs and graphics. A clear message in this section and throughout the book is how important loading is to tissue adaptation. Chapters 4 and 5 apply this concept to connective tissue and highlight how task specificity is the key concept to facilitate tissue change and remodelling. It was especially interesting to note how runners typically have their firmest fascial sheets in the lateral leg, whilst in horse riders they are found medially. As a physiotherapist working with elite female athletes, I enjoyed reading about gender differences and how this relates to tissue make up and ultimately injury risk.

Section 2 provides the reader with tools and techniques for assessment. This facilitates a gathering of evidence to provide guidance for treatment and the monitoring of progress. This includes instruction on how to observe, how to test functionally and how to palpate. I especially enjoyed reading the section on the assessment of mobility and the discussions around the co-existence of hyper and hypo mobility and the roles of habitual lifestyle factors in shaping these tendencies. Another chapter mentions a summary of classification for causes of fascial dysfunction: overuse, misuse, disuse and abuse. I think most of us can relate our personal and patient aches to one of these!

Section 3 invites the reader to pick and choose chapters based on their clinical interests and practice. I was initially drawn to fascial stretching, training methods for runner’s myofascial systems and a chapter exploring the debate of athlete’s footwear and the training potential for fascial structures of the lower extremity. Beyond these I found equal interest in looking at subjects such as plyometric training, foam rolling, movement therapy for breast cancer survivors and mental imagery. Links back to section 1 provided a useful tool to enable a deeper understanding of the theory behind the potential clinical interventions.

A strong positive of this publication is that it includes a wide range of clinical perspectives and purposely embraces different opinions. This leaves the reader open to form their own opinions and free to analyse their own clinical observations. The exhaustive referencing to the work of world-renowned experts gives the reader plenty of opportunity for further reading.

To summarise I would, without hesitation, recommend this book to anybody that has an interest in human movement and wants to learn more about the role of fascia. Beyond clinical application and interest there are a few important life lessons too: ‘proper exercise loading, if applied regularly, can induce a more youthful collagen architecture’.