The Front Functional Line is one of several Fascial Lines proposed by Thomas Myers (SOURCE-2). This line serves as a prominent anterior link between The Shoulder Girdle and The Hip of the opposing side. Given this course and the Muscles it coordinates, the Front Functional Line plays an integral role in maintaining dynamic stability of the Pelvis and diagonal force transfer. This Fascia l line is the anatomical equivalent of the Anterior Sling.
The following lists bony and muscular landmarks that are integrated into the Front Functional Line from most proximal to distal (SOURCE-2).
Shaft of Humerus
Pubic Symphysis and Tubercle
Muscle / Tendon
Lateral Border of Rectus Abdominals
As scientific understanding of Fascia l structures is still in its infancy, the sophisticated and interrelated Fascial Lines discussed by Thomas Myers are yet to gain full support of the literature. With this said, the myofascial continuity between Pectoralis Major , Rectus Abdominals and Adductor Longus is well supported (SOURCE-1):
Pectoralis Major to Rectus Abdominals - the Rectus Sheath (which encases the Rectus Abdominals ) is continuous superiorly with the aponeurotic tissue that forms the Pectoral/ Axillary Fascia , which envelops the Pectoralis Major (SOURCE-4)
Rectus Abdominals to Adductor Longus - continuity is supported both directly and via the Abdominal Obliques , forming both ipsilateral and contralateral pathways:
Ipsilateral - the Rectus Abdominals become tendinous distally and adhere to the Pubic Crest and span laterally towards thePectineal Line, to the anterior Pubic Symphysis or course over the symphysis to form a continuity with muscles of the lower extremity such as Gracilis and Adductor Longus (SOURCE-4)
Contralateral - the aponeuroses of the Transverse Abdominals and Abdominal Obliques form theRectus Sheathwhich envelops the Rectus Abdominals (SOURCE-3). The line of fibres from the External Obliques continue onto the contralateral Internal Obliques which adhere to the Pubic Symphysis and Crest and extend to the Fascia of the Adductors (SOURCE-5)
The following observations may be indicative of Front Functional Line dysfunction The Shoulder Girdle - the following may be in excess at rest or through movement:
Asymmetrical Ribs
Lower Extremity
Single-leg instability
Movement:
Asymetrical Push or Rotation exercises
Determining the direction and extent of Fascial restriction can be done with a light pressure over a desired segement and applying a superficial glide. The region and direction of greater soft-tissue resistance would suggest fascial restriction.
Treatment for Front Functional Line dysfunction emphasises restoring Fascia l mobility, Core / Pelvis stability and diagonal force transfer. In some instances the release of a single structure contained within the Front Functional Line forms an effective treatment, while in others the entire Fascia l line may require attention.
The following stretching techniques may be beneficial for dysfunction of the Front Functional Line:
Door Frame Shoulder Stretch - self-guided anterior shoulder stretch with large Horizontal GH Joint - Abduction range
Bretzel 1.0 - wholebody technical stretch that incorporates anterior shoulder
Bretzel 2.0 - variation with greater hip extension range
Wheel Pose - full bridge variation that lengthens entire anterior chain
Seated Thoracic Rotation with Breathing - large lateral flexion and rotation range coupled with breathing
Split Stance Biceps Stretch - self-guided anterior shoulder stretch with large GH Joint - Extension range
Dowel External Rotation Stretch - self-guided GH Joint - External Rotation stretch with overpressure
Shoulder External Rotation Stretch - rudimentary active stretch with large GH Joint - External Rotation range and several variations
Banded Capsule Rolls - split stance biceps variation that emphasises shoulder rotation
Myofascial Release of the following structures through Massage or self-guided means may be of benefit to those with Front Functional Line dysfunction, with specific techniques often discussed on their respective pages:
Practitioner-Guided
Pectoralis Major - with patient supine a superficial glide may be applied with a broad hand or forearm in the direction of restriction, typically towards its shoulder insertion. To create a “pin and stretch” effect, the patient can add GH Joint - Abduction and/or GH Joint - External Rotation to further elongate the muscle
Rectus Abdominals - techniques for both ipsilateral and contralateral restriction may be relevant:
Ipsilateral - with the client supine with Knee - Flexion (in a Sit-Up-like positon) Fingers hook under into the Rectus Abdominals at their distal and drag the tissue superiorly (SOURCE-2). A re-grasping of tissue may be necessary at each tendinous inscription that divides the muscle belly (SOURCE-2)
Contralateral - Fingers hook under the superficial Abdominal Fascia and draw it either (i) superomedially to emphasise Internal Obliques and the crossover at Linea Alba or (ii) superolaterally to target the External Obliques (SOURCE-2)
Adductor Longus - with patient supine in a FABER -like position, a deeper pressure may be applied at the muscles superior origin below the Pubic Tubercle or along its muscle belly. Slight GH Joint - Abduction , GH Joint - External Rotation or engagement of the Core may be added to elongate the muscle under the applied pressure
Self-Guided
Rectus Abdominals Foam Roll - prone with roller under Ribs, Breathing may be added
Pectoralis Major Release - using either Foam Roll or Handle of a Kettlebell in a “pin and stretch” type fashion
The following Strength techniques can be used for the Front Functional Line:
Deadbugs - cues appropriate core/ spinal engagement while lengthening Hip - Flexion / Thoracic - Extension
Half DB Bench Press - unilateral isotonic horizontal pressing motion that emphasises the Anterior Sling
Copenhagen - Side Plank variation that emphasises Anterior Sling
Pallof Press - low load horizontal push exercise that emphasises anti-rotation of Core
Suitcase Carry - unilateral farmers carry which emphasises crossbody functional patterns
KB Windmill - isotonic exercise that emphasises lateral flexion, shoulder stability and the Anterior Sling
Kneeling Landmine Press - wholebody, explosive vertical pressing exercise with large overhead range
Split Stance Landmine Press - crossbody, standing variation of the Kneeling Landmine Press
DB Snatch to Step-Up - wholebody DB Snatch variation that emphasises diagonal functional patterns
Psoas Sit-Ups - core exercise the emphasises length of the Iliopsoas
Wilke, J., Krause, F., Vogt, L., & Banzer, W. (2016). What Is Evidence-Based About Myofascial Chains: A Systematic Review. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation, 97(3), 454–461. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2015.07.023
Myers, T. W. (2009). Anatomy trains: Myofascial meridians for manual and movement therapists (2nd ed.). Elsevier.
Sevensma, K. E., Leavitt, L., & Pihl, K. D. (2023). Anatomy, abdomen and pelvis, rectus sheath. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537153/
Standring, S. (Ed.). (2016). Gray’s anatomy: The anatomical basis of clinical practice (41st ed.). Elsevier.
Kaur, N., Bhanot, K., Brody, L. T., Bridges, J., Berry, D. C., & Ode, J. J. (2014). Effects of lower extremity and trunk muscles recruitment on serratus anterior muscle activation in healthy male adults. International journal of sports physical therapy, 9(7), 924–937.