--- title: BSMPG Blog | Mobility description: Mobility | BSMPG is New England's leader in continuing education. --- [![BSMPG Logo](https://www.bsmpg.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BSMPG_June2016-theme_Images/logo.png?width=570&name=logo.png "BSMPG Logo")](https://www.bsmpg.com/) # Boston Sports Medicine and Performance Group, LLC Blog ## [Chicken or the Egg by Mike Davis](https://www.bsmpg.com/Blog/bid/88136/Chicken-or-the-Egg-by-Mike-Davis) Posted by Boston Sports Medicine and Performance Group on Tue, Jun 26, 2012 @ 06:06 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) by **Mike Davis** ****  **![mikedavis resized 600](https://www.bsmpg.com/hs-fs/file-5410044-bmp/images/mikedavis-resized-600.bmp)** ****    ## DOES STABILITY PRECEDE MOBILITY OR DOES MOBILITY PRECEDE STABILITY?   There are various schools of thought concerning this question. Some believe that in order for one to exhibit mobility, proximal stability must take place to provide a foundation to support said movement. Some believe that without mobility there is nothing to stabilize. Thus, mobility must come before stability. Then there are others that reside within the various shades of grey of these two ideas.   While neither of these ideas trump the other and neither of these ideas are incorrect, I will propose a slightly different way of approaching this dilemma. Let us explore these ideas in an attempt to gain understanding.   While the concepts of stability and mobility have been around for some time, two prominent figures have been assigned as leaders of each: Shirley Sahrmann and Gray Cook.  Sahrmann believes* *that stability needs precede mobility.  Cook believes that mobility needs precede stability. The goal of this article is not to explore the differences of these approaches in an attempt to elevate one over the other, but to explore a common ground of which these two approaches can potentially become one.    **A case for stability before mobility** It is much easier to shoot a cannon from a battleship than it is from a canoe. The battleship offers a stable platform from which the cannon can be mobilized/operated with success. The canoe offers little stability and therefore complicates the successful operation of the cannon. The body does not differ in this respect. It is widely accepted that proximal stability gives way to distal mobility. Nothing illustrates this better than watching a baby go through the process of developmental kinesiology.   [Continue to read this article by clicking **HERE.**](http://mikedavisdpt.typepad.com/michael_davis_dpt/2012/06/chicken-or-the-egg.html)     0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://www.bsmpg.com/Blog/bid/88136/Chicken-or-the-Egg-by-Mike-Davis#comments-listing) Topics: [Mike Davis](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mike-davis), [Mobility](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mobility), [Stability](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/stability) [All posts](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/all) ### Barefoot in Boston now available on Amazon.com “The residents who live here, according to the parable, began noticing increasing numbers of drowning people caught in the river’s swift current and so went to work inventing ever more elaborate technologies to resuscitate them. So preoccupied were these heroic villagers with rescue and treatment that they never thought to look UPSTREAM to see who was pushing the victims in.” Learn what is hurting your feet and your performance, and how to finally train your feet the way they were meant to be.[![barefoot in boston](https://www.bsmpg.com/hs-fs/file-5407262-png/images/barefoot.kindle.png)](http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=barefoot+in+boston&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Abarefoot+in+boston&ajr=8) ### Follow Me ### Subscribe to BLOG by Email ### Most Popular Posts ### Purchase Charlie Weingroff's DVD HERE! [![tequalsr2 lr](https://www.bsmpg.com/hs-fs/hub/52884/file-865742913.jpg?width=284&height=115&name=file-865742913.jpg)](http://tequalsr2.com?family=70efdf2ec9b086079795c442636b55fb) ### Browse by Tag - [achilles pain (7)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/achilles-pain) - [acute pain (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/acute-pain) - [Adam Naylor (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/adam-naylor) - [Adriaan Louw (14)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/adriaan-louw) - [Al Smith (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/al-smith) - [Alan Grodin (23)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/alan-grodin) - [Alan Stein (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/alan-stein) - [allen gruver (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/allen-gruver) - [Andrea Hudy (25)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/andrea-hudy) - [Andreo Spina (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/andreo-spina) - [Andy O'Brien (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/andy-obrien) - [ankle problems (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/ankle-problems) - [Announcements (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/announcements) - [Art Horne (132)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/art-horne) - [athletic trainer (17)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/athletic-trainer) - [athletic training (68)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/athletic-training) - [athletic training books (23)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/athletic-training-books) - [athletic training conference (209)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/athletic-training-conference) - [autonomy (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/autonomy) - [Barefoot in Boston (40)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/barefoot-in-boston) - [barefoot running (15)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/barefoot-running) - [barefoot strength training (21)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/barefoot-strength-training) - [barefoot training (18)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/barefoot-training) - [baseball conference (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/baseball-conference) - [basketball conference (153)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-conference) - [basketball performance (70)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-performance) - [Basketball Related (37)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-related) - [basketball resources (76)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-resources) - [basketball seminar (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-seminar) - [Basketball Training (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-training) - [basketball training programs (84)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-training-programs) - [basketball videos (21)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-videos) - [Ben Prentiss (14)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/ben-prentiss) - [Bill Knowles (48)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/bill-knowles) - [blunder (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/blunder) - [Bobby Alejo (11)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/bobby-alejo) - [Boo Schexnayder (10)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/boo-schexnayder) - [boston hockey conference (119)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/boston-hockey-conference) - [boston hockey summit (101)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/boston-hockey-summit) - [boston marathon (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/boston-marathon) - [Boston Promise (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/boston-promise) - [Brandon Bovee (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/brandon-bovee) - [Breathing Disorders (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/breathing-disorders) - [Brendon Ziegler (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/brendon-ziegler) - [Brian McCormick (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/brian-mccormick) - [Brijesh Patel (11)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/brijesh-patel) - [Brook Lopez (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/brook-lopez) - [Bruce Williams (22)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/bruce-williams) - [BSMPG (79)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/bsmpg) - [BSMPG baseball conference (6)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/bsmpg-baseball-conference) - [BSMPG Summar Seminar (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/bsmpg-summar-seminar) - [BSMPG Summer Seminar (119)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/bsmpg-summer-seminar) - [Cal Dietz (45)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/cal-dietz) - [Catapult (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/catapult) - [Charlie Weingroff (68)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/charlie-weingroff) - [children's hospital boston (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/childrens-hospital-boston) - [chris chase (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/chris-chase) - [Chris Joyce (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/chris-joyce) - [Chris Powers (12)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/chris-powers) - [Christopher McDougall (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/christopher-mcdougall) - [Chronic Pain (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/chronic-pain) - [Clare Frank (22)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/clare-frank) - [Cleveland Cavs (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/cleveland-cavs) - [concussion (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/concussion) - [concussion management (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/concussion-management) - [Conditioning-Agility-Speed (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/conditioning-agility-speed) - [conference video (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/conference-video) - [Core Stability Training (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/core-stability-training) - [Craig Liebenson (33)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/craig-liebenson) - [customer service (28)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/customer-service) - [Dan Boothby (17)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dan-boothby) - [Dan Gilbert (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dan-gilbert) - [Daniel Coyle (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/daniel-coyle) - [Daniel Lieberman (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/daniel-lieberman) - [Dartfish (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dartfish) - [Dave Tenney (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dave-tenney) - [deadlift Art Horne (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/deadlift-art-horne) - [Derek Hansen (6)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/derek-hansen) - [Derek Hanson (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/derek-hanson) - [Devan McConnell (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/devan-mcconnell) - [development (31)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/development) - [discipline (33)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/discipline) - [DNS (6)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dns) - [DNS course (12)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dns-course) - [Don Callahan (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/don-callahan) - [Dorsiflexion (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dorsiflexion) - [Dr. DiMuro (8)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dr-dimuro) - [Dunk Shot (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dunk-shot) - [dynamic neuromuscular stabilization (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dynamic-neuromuscular-stabilization) - [Eric Oetter (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/eric-oetter) - [Erik Helland (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/erik-helland) - [everything basketball (16)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/everything-basketball) - [evidence based medicine (13)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/evidence-based-medicine) - [Fascial Distortion Model (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/fascial-distortion-model) - [FAT-Tool (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/fat-tool) - [female basketball (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/female-basketball) - [female strength training (7)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/female-strength-training) - [Fenway Park (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/fenway-park) - [Fergus Connolly (23)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/fergus-connolly) - [Flexibility (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/flexibility) - [flow (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/flow) - [FMS (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/fms) - [Food Rules (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/food-rules) - [foot fracture (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/foot-fracture) - [foot pain (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/foot-pain) - [Foot Strike (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/foot-strike) - [football off-season workouts (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/football-off-season-workouts) - [functional movement screen (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/functional-movement-screen) - [Functional Performance Training (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/functional-performance-training) - [Functional Range Release (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/functional-range-release) - [George Mumford (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/george-mumford) - [Gerry Ramogida (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/gerry-ramogida) - [Good to Great (43)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/good-to-great) - [Gray Cook (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/gray-cook) - [Guest Author (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/guest-author) - [Health (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/health) - [Health & Wellness (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/health-wellness) - [Hip Hinge (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/hip-hinge) - [hockey conference (14)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/hockey-conference) - [hockey DVD (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/hockey-dvd) - [hockey videos (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/hockey-videos) - [Human Locomotion (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/human-locomotion) - [Inigo Mujika (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/inigo-mujika) - [innercity weightlifting (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/innercity-weightlifting) - [InsideTracker (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/insidetracker) - [inspiratory muscle training (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/inspiratory-muscle-training) - [integrated care (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/integrated-care) - [iowa football (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/iowa-football) - [Irene Davis (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/irene-davis) - [james anderson (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/james-anderson) - [Jay DeMayo (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jay-demayo) - [jay-z (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jay-z) - [Jeff Cubos (11)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jeff-cubos) - [jerry mcguire (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jerry-mcguire) - [Jim Snider (7)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jim-snider) - [jj barea (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jj-barea) - [Joel Jamieson (12)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/joel-jamieson) - [John Berardi (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/john-berardi) - [John DiMuro (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/john-dimuro) - [john sullivan (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/john-sullivan) - [john wooden (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/john-wooden) - [Jonas Sahratian (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jonas-sahratian) - [Jose Fernandez (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jose-fernandez) - [jose juan barea (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jose-juan-barea) - [Keiser (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/keiser) - [Keith D'Amelio (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/keith-damelio) - [Kettlebell Instruction (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/kettlebell-instruction) - [Kevin Durant (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/kevin-durant) - [Kevin Neeld (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/kevin-neeld) - [knee pain (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/knee-pain) - [Landon Evans (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/landon-evans) - [Leaders (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/leaders) - [Leaders in Performance (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/leaders-in-performance) - [Leadership (30)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/leadership) - [LeBron James (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/lebron-james) - [Leon Chaitow (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/leon-chaitow) - [Logan Schwartz (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/logan-schwartz) - [managing (11)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/managing) - [Marathon Monday (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/marathon-monday) - [Marc Bubbs (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/marc-bubbs) - [Marco Cardinale (26)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/marco-cardinale) - [Mark Cuban (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mark-cuban) - [Mark Lindsay (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mark-lindsay) - [Mark Scappaticci (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mark-scappaticci) - [Mark Toomey (6)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mark-toomey) - [Marvin Chun (13)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/marvin-chun) - [mastery (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mastery) - [Matt Jordan (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/matt-jordan) - [mental toughness (7)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mental-toughness) - [mental training (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mental-training) - [Mike Boyle (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mike-boyle) - [Mike Curtis (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mike-curtis) - [Mike Davis (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mike-davis) - [Mobility (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mobility) - [moneyball (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/moneyball) - [Mosley (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mosley) - [motivation (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/motivation) - [Motor Control (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/motor-control) - [Motor Learning (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/motor-learning) - [Movement (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/movement) - [movement impairments (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/movement-impairments) - [NBA (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/nba) - [Neil Rampe (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/neil-rampe) - [networking (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/networking) - [nike free (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/nike-free) - [Noraxon (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/noraxon) - [northeastern (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/northeastern) - [northeastern university (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/northeastern-university) - [off season training (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/off-season-training) - [orthopedic assessment (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/orthopedic-assessment) - [orthopedic risk factors (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/orthopedic-risk-factors) - [Ownership (16)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/ownership) - [Pat Riley (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/pat-riley) - [patient centered care (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/patient-centered-care) - [Patrick Ward (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/patrick-ward) - [Pavel Kolar (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/pavel-kolar) - [Pavel Tsatsouline (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/pavel-tsatsouline) - [Perform Better (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/perform-better) - [Performance Directors Meeting (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/performance-directors-meeting) - [performance testing (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/performance-testing) © 2020 Boston Sports Medicine and Performance Group, LLC