Core Strengthening Programs
T
he essence of core stability training is activation of the
small muscles of the trunk that are best suited to stabilize
the spine. Because most activities of daily living require
only modest levels of activation of these muscles, core stability
training often focuses simply on fostering awareness of their ac-
tivity. Common training for this purpose includes gently drawing-
in the abdomen without altering normal breathing.After learning basic core stability techniques from a qualified
instructor, equipment such as medicine balls, foam rollers, cuff
weights and balance boards allow people to independently
reproduce and progress these exercises. Activities such as
martial arts, ballet, Pilates and certain forms of yoga can also
help build core strength and stability. The final step in core
stability training is integrating the use of the core muscles into
daily tasks and sport-specific activities. People who display ap-
propriate acti-
vation of core
musculature,
good global
core strength
and an ability
to incorporate
the action of
these muscles
into activities
specific to their
functional goals
possess the
critical components to stabilize the core.The main concepts of core strengthening programs involve us-
ing multiple muscles in a coordinated movement. Rather than
isolating a specific joint as in most weight lifting, stability exer-
cises focus on working the deep muscles of the entire torso at
once.Chapter 6 Muscle Balance, Posture and Spinal Stability
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