Hollow vs Neutral Spine

Joshua Slocum said:

Consider the difference in strength between a row of stone blocks, and an arch. When you're in a hollow, your spine is like the arch. 

 

A neutral spine is optimal if you are supporting a load along the axis of your spine. For example, if you're balancing a heavy weight on your head, you want to try to make your spine as straight as possible (also called "stacked"). However, as Coach mentioned, when your body is horizontal, placing a slight curve in the spine allows it to support itself better. 

 

 

Ok now I'm confused.  I thought a neutral spine IS in an arch, or several - the famous s shape you can see in any model of the spine.   I thought the hollow body position used in a handstand simply eliminates the lumbar spine arch. Or is this not considered hollowbody?    I'm a long way off attempting levers etc, but I'm curious: is the 'hollow' position the same for f-lever, planche, flag etc or do they vary in degree?

Also, curious, when performing vertical elements, would a gymnast use a hollow body?  I don't know what they are called in gymnastics, but in ballet its called a double tour - when you jump upwards vertically and spin around twice whilst staying vertical.  Or are these jumps performed with a neutral spine?

Amir Giles said:

Ok now I'm confused. I thought a neutral spine IS in an arch, or several - the famous s shape you can see in any model of the spine. I thought the hollow body position used in a handstand simply eliminates the lumbar spine arch. Or is this not considered hollowbody? I'm a long way off attempting levers etc, but I'm curious: is the 'hollow' position the same for f-lever, planche, flag etc or do they vary in degree?

Also, curious, when performing vertical elements, would a gymnast use a hollow body? I don't know what they are called in gymnastics, but in ballet its called a double tour - when you jump upwards vertically and spin around twice whilst staying vertical. Or are these jumps performed with a neutral spine?

Yes, a neutral spine often has two arches in opposite directions. In the hollow body position there is just one large arch, which is much stronger and more stable.

I do not know what spinal position a gymnast or dancer would use for a double tour. I can tell you that when tumbling (I.e rebounding off of the floor), a gymnast will aspire to hold either a hollow (whole spine slightly bent over) or extended (whole spine bent slightly back) body position depending on the element being performed.

Joshua Slocum said:

Yes, a neutral spine often has two arches in opposite directions. In the hollow body position there is just one large arch, which is much stronger and more stable.

I do not know what spinal position a gymnast or dancer would use for a double tour. I can tell you that when tumbling (I.e rebounding off of the floor), a gymnast will aspire to hold either a hollow (whole spine slightly bent over) or extended (whole spine bent slightly back) body position depending on the element being performed.

In dance you would maintain a neutral spine during the double tour, although 'neutral' in dance is often elongated so that the curves are less prominent.