In order to be able to move and exercise effectively, a strong core is vital. When standing upright, the core is the part of the body that maintains balance. Your core is the centre of the body and forms the basis from which the movements in the body can be executed.
The aim of core stability training is to use the core muscles as effectively as possible during exercise and to manage the position of the spinal column effectively during exertion. This is important for all aspects of sport. Both sports that tax specific parts of the body, such as cycling and running, and intensive team sports, such as football, basketball and volleyball.
In order to visualise the stability function, take a pile of blocks (vertebra) and press the top and bottom blocks (tensioning the stomach and back muscles). No matter how hard we press on the upper and lower blocks, a little force on a block in the middle will make the pile of blocks fall apart. It is only when we stick the blocks together that we create a stable situation.
These muscles can be regarded as stabilisers for the lower back and are continuously taut during exercise. They don’t have to be strong, but they do have to be managed and have a high degree of stamina.
Training ‘core stability’ will lead to an improvement in performance and reduce injuries.
