There has been mention of the authors of this site stating rib cage expansion is a myth, but here is a link to one such article:
http://www.T-Nation.com/findArticle.do?article=body_142metal
[quote]
Heavy Metal
Q&A with the King of Strength Coaches
by Ian King
Pullovers for a Big Chest?
Q: What do you think of dumbbell pullovers? Can they really expand the rib cage or is that just bunk? If it is bunk, are pullovers still worthwhile for other reasons?
A: Dumbbell pullovers? Nice exercise, but one I use sparingly. Can they expand the rib cage? That’s a question I’ve often asked myself. I haven’t seen anything to support this yet, but it would be nice if they could. It’s unlikely, however.
So are they still worthwhile for other reasons? Of course. Just because there isn’t likely a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow doesn’t mean the rainbow is useless! (Sorry, I can’t believe I just wrote that, either.) This exercise has its place but probably not as the cornerstone of your program.[/quote]
Her eis another source for reference:
[quote]
he following article is from the August/September issue of Scientific Bodybuilding Journal.
Myth Busters
Rib Cage and Hip Expansion
By Vince Martin, P.T.
Popular belief holds that, through proper exercise, one can change the volume of (expand) their ribcage. Usually, this is accomplished by the performance of two exercises used in combination. These exercises are the “breathing squat” and the cross-bench dumbbell pullover. Through diligent performance of these exercises, along with the continued performance of the remainder of the weight training routine, trainees would experience significant expansion of their thoracic cages. Or would they?
Here’s how the typical rib cage expansion routine went: First, the breathing squats were performed. The breathing squats, which entailed twenty-rep sets of squats with several deep breaths between each repetition were supersetted with cross bench dumbbell pullovers, which provided the “stretch” for the rib cage. The combined effect of the deep breathing and stretching supposedly provided the desired effect of enlargement. Now for the truth behind this concept.
The ribs are connected to the vertebral column at the rear of the body. They are formed to connect, or articulate, in a certain way and at a certain angle. In front, the ribs are connected via cartilage to the sternum, or breastbone. Various texts in the past have alluded to the “stretching” of the cartilage as the means by which the rib cage is expanded. First of all, the “length” of the cartilage by which the ribs are connected to the ribcage is unalterable. No amount of deep breathing or stretching can alter this predetermined attachment. Second, even if it were possible to alter the cartilaginous attachment of the ribs to the sternum, this would mean that the manner in which the ribs articulate with the vertebrae posteriorly would have to be altered. Again, there is a pre-set limit to which the ribs can correctly and functionally articulate with the vertebrae. Therefore, this cannot (and must not) be changed.
However, weight training can alter the skeletal structure. The points of attachment on the bones where the muscles connect actually enlarge slightly due to the forces exerted by the muscles at these attachments. This slight enlargement of the points of muscle attachment does not equate to any significant skeletal enlargement such as rib cage expansion.
So what provided this apparent rib cage enlargement? The answer is found in the word “apparent”. The rib cage did not expand. Rather, as a function of the training routine in general, the musculature of the trunk became developed. This resulted in a much “thicker” look. The trainees of old simply attributed their results to the wrong reason.
There are some dangers inherent in attempting to expand the rib cage, however, especially with regard to the performance of cross-bench dumbbell pullovers. This exercise emphases “stretch”. This typically mandates arching the back excessively over the bench, and reaching back excessively with the arms while holding a dumbbell. The back arching can lead to irritation of the joints of the spine, dislocation of a costal cartilage, or a dysfunction of the ribs where they articulate with the rib cage. Stretching excessively with the upper arms can overstretch and damage the ligaments of the shoulder joint. So, not only is expansion of the ribcage impossible, it is also potentially hazardous to attempt to do so.[/quote]
Finally, I would not consider what what one chiropractor told me to be the be all end all to truth and my sole source for fact finding. Chiropractors are considered to be charlatans by many people. Don’t overlook that a chiropractor has a vested interest in telling you anything that will make you believe you need to keep seeing them.
