Lats & Pole Dancing: Debunking Myths

In this episode of 'Science of Slink,' Dr. Rosy Boa addresses common misconceptions about the role of the Latissimus Dorsi (lats) muscles in pole dancing. She explains the anatomy and function of the lats, debunks myths about their role in overhead movements, and offers tips on when and how to effectively train these muscles. Essential for pole dancers, the episode also covers related topics like muscle contraction, scapula stabilization, and potential causes of pain from tight lats. Dr. Boa recommends resources and exercises for better shoulder mechanics and performance in pole dancing.

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Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

01:14 Common Misconceptions About Lats

01:52 Understanding Muscle Function

03:15 Anatomy of the Lats

05:50 Lats in Pole Dancing

07:36 Scapula Mechanics and Misconceptions

11:03 Training and Flexibility Recommendations

15:18 Conclusion and Further Reading

Citations:

Bhatt CR, Prajapati B, Patil DS, Patel VD, Singh BG, Mehta CD. Variation in the insertion of the latissimus dorsi & its clinical importance. J Orthop. 2013 Mar 7;10(1):25-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jor.2013.01.002. PMID: 24403744; PMCID: PMC3768243.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3768243/

Miniato MA, Mudreac A, Borger J. Anatomy, Thorax, Scapula. [Updated 2023 Jul 24]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538319/

Paksoy, A., Akgün, D., Gebauer, H., Karczewski, D., Lacheta, L., Tokish, J. M., ... & Moroder, P. (2024). The latissimus dorsi creates a dynamic track for the inferior angle of the scapula during arm abduction in humans. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research, 19(1), 193.

Pouliart N, Gagey O. Significance of the latissimus dorsi for shoulder instability. I. Variations in its anatomy around the humerus and scapula. Clin Anat. 2005 Oct;18(7):493-9. doi: 10.1002/ca.20185. PMID: 16092134.

Links:

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