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Defining Core Stability and Core Strengthening

This is an excerpt from Developing the Core-2nd Edition by NSCA -National Strength & Conditioning Association.

Developing the muscles surrounding the pelvis, hips, lower back, and abdomen builds strength and stability. To truly understand how core stability and core strength differ it would seem sensible to clearly define each by the roles they play in human development. Unfortunately, the definitions for both core stability and strength seem to be muddled in the literature and no true definition for either seems to exist. The definitions for core stability and core strength provided by researchers have areas of overlap based on anatomical placement and physiological functions of muscle groups.

Core Stability

While there seems to be no universally recognized definition for core stability, the role it plays in safe and effective movement during daily activities and athletic endeavors is still widely accepted. Panjabi described core stability as an integrative system composed of the passive spinal column, active spinal muscles, and the neural control unit that, when combined, help to maintain the intervertebral range of motion within a safe limit to enable activities to be carried out during daily living (35). Kibler and colleagues suggested core stability during athletic activities as the ability of a person to control the position and motion of their trunk, allowing for optimum production, transfer, and control of force over the course of the entire movement (20). Core stability plays a crucial role in protecting the spine during daily activities and athletic endeavors that involve a transfer of energy throughout the body (4). Core stability is seen as being pivotal for efficient biomechanical function to maximize force generation and minimize joint loads in types of activities ranging from running to throwing (20).

Core Strengthening

Core strength has been defined in the literature as the muscular control required around the lumbar spine and hip region to maintain functional stability (2) and is promoted by professionals in both the performance and rehabilitative settings. Faries and Greenwood defined core strength as the ability of the musculature to produce force through contractile forces and intra-abdominal pressure (15). This has created concepts and best practices that practitioners use to increase athletic performance and decrease lumbar spine and other various musculoskeletal injuries. For practitioners to effectively implement core strengthening and core stability training concepts into practice they need to possess a solid understanding of the structure and function of the core musculature (outlined in chapter 1).

More Excerpts From Developing the Core 2nd Edition

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