Watch our new video about core stabilization on Facebook!
What is the so-called “Core”?
Over the past 11 years, while training to become a Physical Therapist, working as a Physical Therapist, and more recently as I have built upon my knowledge of teaching Pilates, my definition of The Core has evolved, as has my amusement with the term. What is the core? It sounds so finite; so strong.
In recent years, the core has been thought of synonymously with the abdominals, namely the rectus abdominus – those longed-for 6-pack abs. The truth is, the core is a group of muscles which, when strong, can’t even be seen on the outside of a person’s body. Core conditioning and training involves many muscles that not only help to prevent back, shoulder, and neck injuries, but help aid in the overall function of the body. The purpose of core strengthening is to give the trunk, including the spine, pelvis, shoulder girdle, and hips the support and stability it requires during movements of the extremities.
The core muscles include:
Transversus abdominus – this muscle is the deepest abdominal muscle and acts a corset to support the spine.
External and internal obliques - these help with rotation and flexion of the spine.
Multifidus – tiny muscles which connect from one vertebrae and attach on the 2nd or 3rd vertebrae below. A stabilizing muscle, when the spine is fixed, and muscles that extend and rotate the spine when the spine is in motion.
Gluteals: maximus, medius, and minimus - these are those targeted muscles during our lovely sidelying exercises! The medius and minimus particularly help to stabilize the pelvis during gait. If these muscles are strong, they can also help to stabilize flat feet (low arches) and knees.
Adductors – inner thighs.
Lower trapezius, Middle trapezius, Latissimus Dorsi, Diaphragm
As a physical therapist, I document core training as trunk stabilization, lumbopelvic stabilization, or scapular stabilization. The exercises are about stabilizing the spine statically and dynamically, which will allow for increased efficiency of energy expenditure, efficiency of movement, and distribution of forces throughout the joints.
So, the next time you say, or hear someone say, “I want/need to strengthen my core,” consider asking what that means to them—you better believe I will!
All Wellness Focuses on the Core
Watch our new video about core stabilization on Facebook!
What is the so-called “Core”?
Over the past 11 years, while training to become a Physical Therapist, working as a Physical Therapist, and more recently as I have built upon my knowledge of teaching Pilates, my definition of The Core has evolved, as has my amusement with the term. What is the core? It sounds so finite; so strong.
In recent years, the core has been thought of synonymously with the abdominals, namely the rectus abdominus – those longed-for 6-pack abs. The truth is, the core is a group of muscles which, when strong, can’t even be seen on the outside of a person’s body. Core conditioning and training involves many muscles that not only help to prevent back, shoulder, and neck injuries, but help aid in the overall function of the body. The purpose of core strengthening is to give the trunk, including the spine, pelvis, shoulder girdle, and hips the support and stability it requires during movements of the extremities.
The core muscles include:
Transversus abdominus – this muscle is the deepest abdominal muscle and acts a corset to support the spine.
External and internal obliques - these help with rotation and flexion of the spine.
Multifidus – tiny muscles which connect from one vertebrae and attach on the 2nd or 3rd vertebrae below. A stabilizing muscle, when the spine is fixed, and muscles that extend and rotate the spine when the spine is in motion.
Gluteals: maximus, medius, and minimus - these are those targeted muscles during our lovely sidelying exercises! The medius and minimus particularly help to stabilize the pelvis during gait. If these muscles are strong, they can also help to stabilize flat feet (low arches) and knees.
Adductors – inner thighs.
Lower trapezius, Middle trapezius, Latissimus Dorsi, Diaphragm
As a physical therapist, I document core training as trunk stabilization, lumbopelvic stabilization, or scapular stabilization. The exercises are about stabilizing the spine statically and dynamically, which will allow for increased efficiency of energy expenditure, efficiency of movement, and distribution of forces throughout the joints.
So, the next time you say, or hear someone say, “I want/need to strengthen my core,” consider asking what that means to them—you better believe I will!