Core Stability and more...

The "core", with regards to movement and stability, is a series of stabiliser muscle groups that involve the whole anterior, posterior and neck musculature. All of these areas contribute and interact to ensure control, protection and support of the spine. They give the base from which all actions of the limbs are controlled and stabilised. They give structural support for the vital organs and systems of the body. Activation of the stabilisers allow correct recruitment of the mobiliser muscles, or prime movers, to facilitate actions that range from simple gentle movements to dynamic and explosive power for sport. Poor stabiliser control is often associated with poor posture.

Core stability enables us to control the forces generated by movements of the trunk and those of the arms and the legs. It allows the muscles and joints to be at a safety and strength/force generation advantage. It optimises the forces generated by giving a strong connective link between the upper and lower body, and as such negates the need for inappropriate muscle groups to be recruited.

It is important to consider whether the exercises that are often prescribed for health and fitness have "real life" application. When moving in everyday actions it is obvious that many muscle groups work synergistically to provide support and movement for the required action. Yet we often train these muscles in isolation. This concept is an area that we should consider and the reason why we should be involving "functional" exercise within the programs that are prescribed, be they in a group or individual scenario.

Men and women have differences in structure and as such need to be given specific considerations when exercising. Many changes take place during puberty including a widening of the pelvic girdle and increase in breast size. These changes will cause a change in weight distribution. Females, generally, have a lighter skeletal and muscular framework. These factors all contribute to a weaker stabiliser system and as such enhancement of the core muscles may be even more important than in males.

The actions that we perform on a repetitive basis will influence the programming of our nervous system and engrams. An engram is a conditioned memory that has been acquired through experience. If a person repeats a movement over and over, such as in an exercise regime, then that action will be programmed into the brain as the accepted and desirable pattern of movement. If that action is in-fact wrong and possibly damaging to the body then it will be very difficult to reprogram that engram. As such it is vital that exercise technique should be observed and corrected from the very onset of instruction and throughout the learning of that action.