Core stabilization muscles

Core Stabilization

 

Introduction

Every time you move, your body depends on certain “core” muscles to hold you steady while other muscles actually move your body.

 These core muscles lie deep within the “trunk” of the body and generally attach to the spine, pelvis and muscles that support the scapula.

 Core muscles stabilize those areas to create a firm foundation for coordinated movement of the legs and arms.

 

If your core muscles are strong and they contract when they should:

• Your posture is better.
• Your body is balanced.
• Your movement is more efficient and balanced.
• You are less likely to be injured.

Core stability is essential to good health for everyone: from young to old, from athlete to couch potato.

Core stabilization exercises should be part of every person’s health regimen.

What is Core Stabilization?

Think of the spine as a stack of separate bones with fluid-filled discs between the bones as a cushion. That doesn’t sound very stable, does it?  It’s a good thing that layers of soft tissue such as cartilage and ligaments connect to the spine to make it more stable.

Your spine is also stabilized by a group of muscles attached to the spine at critical areas. If these muscles are strong and working properly, your body will have a solid base for movement and will be able to absorb the impact and vibrations created by moving around on a solid surface‚ like the ground we all walk on.

Inner Core Muscles

The main muscles involved in core stabilization are not always obvious because they are buried beneath other muscles. Your transverse abdominus, for example, is hidden underneath your rectus abdominus (or “six-pack”) and encases the area beneath your belly button. The multifidus muscle lies along your spine and connects the vertebrae (bones) together. The pelvic floor muscles also aid in stabilizing your spine but are usually only noticed when contracted to prevent urination.

 

 

Outer Core Muscles

Other muscles that are closer to the surface, and somewhat more noticeable, also help with core stabilization. The muscles in your back and buttocks, around your pelvis and hips, and your sides are all “outer-core” muscles that assist stabilization and help your body move.

Outer core muscles: latissimus dorsi, gluteus maximus, oblique abdominals, hip adductors, hip abductors

 

Why is Core Stabilization Important?

Core stabilization muscles work together to keep your trunk stable while your limbs are active.

Strong core muscles hold your body upright, improve your balance and enable you to put more effort into arm and leg movements.

If the core muscles are weak, your body doesn’t work as effectively, and other muscles have to pick up the slack.

This can result in injuries such as a twisted knee, a pulled shoulder or the common “bad back”.

A weak core can make you old before your time.

With core stabilization, you may be old in years, but you won’t walk old. If you’re young or active in sports, core stabilization will help your body movement and improve your performance. For exercise at any level, core stabilization is essential for injury prevention and maximum fitness results.

 

 

 

 

 

http://cenkchiro.com/treatments/core-stabilization/