Is Rory Mcilroy’s Weight-lifting Routine Causing Restricted Fascia and Affecting His Game?

Recently Rory McIlroy’s physique caught the attention of former professional golfer Johnny Miller.  It wasn’t that Miller didn’t appreciate the young golfer’s new and improved muscular look but rather, he believed the extra muscle the rising star had put on was hindering his game.  Does Johnny Miller have a point?

Golf is one of those sports that is quite unique in that bigger is not always better, especially if coordination, flexibility and balance are compromised in the process.  Finesse and accuracy are skills more highly sought after than sheer strength and it was this observation by Johnny Miller that Rory McIlroy’s recent trips to the gym were indeed affecting his skill set.

It is a well-known fact that lifting weights aggressively will cause microfiber tears in the muscles with the intent that upon the rebuilding of these fibers, size and strength are gained.  However, too much of this without adequate recovery will eventually lead to adhesions or restrictions within the fascia surrounding the muscles, joints, ligaments, blood vessels and tendons. 

Nerve Tissue Affected the Most

Nerves are also compromised and are perhaps the most severely affected.  With close to 40 miles of this tissue in the body, kinked fascia leading to scar tissue is certain to catch up with them eventually causing a break down in the firing sequence of the muscles you worked so hard to train to perform a certain way.

If these fascia restrictions persist indefinitely, the body will then be forced to create an alternative neuromuscular strategy to carry out what once was a natural pattern of movement that is no longer available, i.e. your previously uncompromised golf swing.

This is no different than having to walk after knee injury.  A compensation pattern must replace your normal gait with an alternate one to accommodate for the different distribution of forces now being experienced through the injured leg.

Repetitive Training Carries Risk to Fascia as Well

Even if you aren’t lifting weights aggressively the very act of any type of repetitive training, such as hitting practice shots, can eventually cause nerve irritation if proper recovery from exercise is not performed.

People don’t know that nerve irritation from these microfiber tears and adhesions due to exercise can cause fatigue to the area. This is because the demand for oxygen by nerves is twice that of muscle tissue when healthy and the need for more only increases when the nervous system is under duress.

Effects of Kinked Fascia are Not Always Visible in the Early Stages

Now, many of these neuromuscular patterns are not readily noticeable to the casual observer in the beginning but over time the individual’s movement will become poorer in quality. 

I do not think that Mr. Miller saw anything specific with Rory’s swing, but rather based his opinion on the outcome of his latest scores.  And I also believe he has a point worth considering for anyone who is thinking about engaging in an aggressive weight lifting program and the potential side effects it has on such a sophisticated sport.

Muscle Activation Therapy for Restricted Fascia

If you are going to lift weights and still expect to play at your very best with no drop off in performance, then perhaps muscle activation therapy is something you should consider. 

Muscle activation therapy involves myofascial and special trigger point release with Star’s Rip Tool. 

Star's Rip Tools for Injured Fascia

It is a therapy aimed at vascular and neural flossing, or the release of the fibrous adhesions and restrictions affecting movement throughout the body.

By freeing up the nervous system, muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments and blood vessels from unnecessary adhesions, your sports performance will improve as the neuromuscular and cellular connections awaken. 

Your coordination, balance and accuracy will also improve which should allow for the delivery of more force, speed and ultimately, power.

Altered Biomechanics

In Rory’s case, it is possible his larger chest, shoulders and back muscles due to strenuous exercise may have caused tighter fascia and a compensation involving an angular displacement between his head, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, pelvis and into his knees all of which would affect his hip movement and overall swing. 

It is also possible that his extra size and weight was put on indiscriminately, without taking into consideration the need to maintain the delicate balance of muscle tone he may have previously enjoyed.

Contact Us

If you would like to know more about muscle activation therapy, Star's Rip Tools and the mechanics of the golf swing, please contact the following:

Star Geoghegan:  [email protected]

Dr. Larry VanSuch:  https://www.athleticquickness.com/  [email protected]