BRIEFING
The structure, role and importance of the core muscles The core is a relatively recent term that has been coined in sport and exercise settings referring to the muscles located within the torso. More specifi cally, the core musculature is comprised of superfi cial muscles which are involved in fl exion, extension, and rotation of the spine. These muscles include the erector spinae, rectus abdominis, external and internal obliques, and
quadratus lumborum. In addition, there are deeper muscles located within the torso that work in conjunction with the superfi cial muscles to stabilise the body and maintain correct posture. When performing fundamental movements such as walking, running, or throwing, a strong, stable core provides a solid foundation for the limbs to effi ciently generate and transfer forces to successfully perform these movements. Despite the great importance of the
core muscles in allowing the body to optimally perform basic movements and maintain good posture, exercises focusing on strengthening the core are often overlooked and overshadowed in training programmes. No matter the goals of the exerciser, training of the core musculature should form the basis of any fi tness programme. Rich Johnston MSc, BSc (Hons) Sports scientist, Heart of Midlothian FC and Livingston FC
The Core-Tex platform (left) can move in all three planes of motion; and the T-Bow (above)
CORE-TEX – from the US to Man U “Balance is one of those physical traits that is subject to the ‘if you don’t use it, you lose it’ principle. It’s also something that can be dramatically improved upon when progressively challenged,” says Anthony Carey, inventor of the Core- Tex – a reactive training device for balance, stability and mobility, where the platform is held within a base containing ball transfers, allowing it to move in all three planes of motion. He continues: “Balance equates to
control; lack of balance equals lack of control. And like a car unable to stop properly or control its steering accurately, a body with poor balance is an accident waiting to happen.” What makes the Core-Tex unique,
according to Carey, is its sliding platform: “While other equipment just tilts and/or rotates around one axis, Core-Tex’s platform slides as it tilts and rotates. This allows for an almost infi nite number of combination movements that can functionally challenge the body for strength, stability, mobility and balance.”
june 2011 © cybertrek 2011 The Core-Tex is currently being
used by both Manchester United and Sunderland football clubs in their strength and conditioning programmes. Sunderland’s physiotherapist is also using the Core-Tex as part of the club’s rehabilitation programme. Carey’s top tip for clubs wanting to
offer balance training is, similar to Halls’ advice, to ensure that instructor training is in place so staff can realise the full potential of a piece of equipment, making members’ training more enjoyable by avoiding too many static postures and poses. “People want to be engaged and for things to be fun. Standing on one leg gets pretty boring after a while,” he says.
DRUMMOND – rehab & education Drummond Clinic – a practice specialising in personal training and physiotherapy – and its sister company the Drummond Education Development Centre use core and balance training with members of the public, rehabilitation clients and elite athletes. This is delivered in a number of ways, including as part of physiotherapy
treatment plans, through personal training, pilates and Nordic Walking. “Core and balance training has
been a hot topic for many years, but now through more intelligent use of equipment and the support of well- qualifi ed professionals, programmes can be delivered to customers in such a way that the results speak for themselves,” says Gill Cummings-Bell, director of Drummond Education. She cites T-BOW – a curved board
that can be used with or without stretch bands to work on cardiovascular fi tness, core strength and balance – as an example of “a perfect piece of multi-use equipment that brings many benefi ts for clients”. As well as Instyle’s T-BOW, the Drummond organisations use a range of balance kit including BOSU, freeFORM board, cable equipment, stability balls, ViPR, TRX and Gravity/Total Gym. According to Cummings-Bell, core and
balance training can improve everybody’s performance, whether to help them set a new personal best in a triathlon, recover from an existing injury, or prevent one.
Read Health Club Management online at
healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital 57
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84