Prof. em. Dr. med. Dr. h. c. Kurt Tittel, Emeritus Professor and former Chairman of the Department of Functional Anatomy of the University of Halle and of the Hochschule für Körperkultur (Institure of Physical Culture) in Leipzig.
Former Chairman of the Department of Sports Medicine of the Academy for continuous professional development in Berlin-Lichtenberg.
This textbook describes the activity of muscle slings in professional athletes and is, in part, based on material presented in the 15th edition of the German textbook ¿Beschreibende und funktionelle Anatomie¿ (descriptive and functional anatomy), by K. Tittel with the assistance of E. Seidel, published by KIENER Verlag, Munich
2012.

International honours
Philip-Noel Baker Research Price of the International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education (CIEPSS) for scientific contributions in the field of Sports-Anthropometry (1974)
Distinguished Service Award of the United States Sports Academy for noteworthy contributions to International Sport (1984)
Honorary Prize of the International Olympic Committee in appreciation of outstanding services in the field of Sports Medicine (1989)
Honorary-Membership of the Hungarian Sports Medical-Association (1984)
Honorary-Membership of the Czechoslowakian Purkinje-Association (1984)
Gold medal of the International Federation of Sports Medicine (FIMS) and appointment as FIMS Fellow (2002)

- Unique concept of muscle loops
- Anatomically accurate representation of the movements of the living body
- Impressive three-part representations with unmatched precision

1 Analysis of sequencesof movements in sport from a functional-anatomical point of view1
1.1 Adaptability of the motor system as a process and outcome 2
1.2 Form, structure and function 3
1.3 Open and closed joint systems4
1.4 The cooperation between muscle groups which form muscle slings 7
1.5 Coordinated capabilities ¿ functions and the basis for ¿motor learning¿ 9
1.6 Functional principles for sequences of movements 10
1.7 What should be considered with regard to muscular imbalance 12
1.8 Learning to observe and describe 15
2 Applied anatomy in sport17
2.1 Extensor slings of the lower extremity 19
Anatomy revisited: The central role of the spinal column in dynamic and static sequences of movements 22
2.2 Extensor slings in whole-body movements 30
Overextension of the body backwards 30
Long- and middle-distance runners 32
Sprinter (at the start of the 100 meters) 36
Javelin thrower 40
Medicine-ball thrower 42
Wrestler (standing combat) 44
Wrestler (ground combat) 46
Boxer 48
Gymnast 50
Rower 52
Anatomy revisited: Lesion-prone weak point: lumbo-sacral transition 56
Weightlifter 59
Inhibitory and braking function of the extensor sling 62
2.3 Flexor slings of the lower extremity 64
Basic movements64
Sudden and brisk lifting of the leg 66
Ballet dancer 68
Hurdler 70
2.4 Flexor and extensor slings in whole-body movements 70
Long jumper 72
High jumper 76
Rope climber 78
Wall climber 78
Anatomy revisited: Muscles of the trunk and the shoulder girdle in artistic gymnastics 80
2.5 Muscle slings in static sequences of movements 84
Gymnast on parallel bars 84
Gymnast on the rings 86
High-bar gymnast 92
Anatomy revisited: Role and integration of the abdominal muscles in lateral inclination and rotation 94
2.6 Muscle slings in lateral inclination and rotation of the body 98
Lateral inclincation of the trunk 100
Rhythmic gymnastics 104
Gymnastics with round weights 107
Anatomy revisited: The central role of the knee joint in many sports disciplines 108
Football player (crossing the ball) 112
Football player (volleying the ball) 114
Handball player (jump shot) 116
Discus thrower 118
Javelin thrower 120
Hammer thrower 122
2.7 Combination of muscle slings 124
Shot-putter 124
Race-walker 126
Short-distance runner 128
Final Remarks 130
3 Appendix 131
Afterword 132
Source of figures and tables 133
References 133
Index 136