Core strength is all the buzz in not just golf fitness these days. In fact, there is even a relatively new trend in the world of plastic surgery called abdominal etching. In the course of one procedure (liposculpture - a combination of liposuction and traditional instrument sculpting), a person can attain non-functional six pack abs that resemble the real ones that might take years to achieve in the gym. The emphasis on the superficial aspects of a strong core leads a person to wonder - will core strength be the next fitness fad or are there serious benefits? Increasingly, physicians and therapists seem to be touting the benefits and wondering why the medical community has not focused on it sooner. From the age of about 3 years old, right after we finish learning to sit, pull up and walk, humans need to make a conscious effort to develop a strong core. A client once reported that a physical therapist had measured his core strength to be about that of a 4 year old. It was not a compliment, needless to say. Core muscles are more complicated to understand than say the quadriceps or biceps. There are layers of muscles within our midsections that overlap and run in different directions. Learning to isolate the core muscles is the first step to conditioning them. For starters, performing a pelvic tilt can help you to identify the muscle that people often refer to as "nature's weight training belt", the rectus transverse abdominus, which plays a key role in protecting your lower back. Physicians are urging patients that a strong core is key to long term fitness and are recommending core strength training in addition to aerobics for cardiovascular health and weight training for muscle and bone strength. Research indicates that people with strong muscles in their abdomens, buttocks, low back and pelvises are less likely to incur injuries. That is good news for the Baby Boomers who desire to lead active lifestyles into retirement. And since the effects of aging are well known, the possibility of putting off some of the degeneration and injury that comes naturally with age is compelling to everyone, young and old alike. But perhaps the least understood benefit of core strength is the link between core strength and balance that neurologists are now beginning to emphasize. Core strength and balance have a symbiotic relationship with each other. To reach some of those hard to get core muscles or to train more than one core muscle at a time, an unstable surface training aid such as stability ball, balance pad and balance disc is often utilized. If you don't use your balance when using one of these training aids, you won't be able to perform the core strengthening activity. And the reverse is true too - if you don't use your core while performing balance training, you won't have much success. Try standing on one leg and balancing while leaving your core muscles completely relaxed. It won't matter where you focus your eyes, you will find that the amount of time you can balance will greatly increase when you contract your core muscles. Although many factors can affect balance as a person ages, the brain's ability to transmit and receive the neural signals that lead to good balance is key. And as with many things involving the brain, neurologists are finding the "use it or lose it" mentality applies to balance. By challenging a person's balance on a daily basis, the nerves that fire those messages to the brain stay active and alive. |
