Core Stability

Core stability training can significantly increase an athlete’s chance of avoiding injury and also contributes to improved performance.

The 'core' consists of a large number of muscles that run along the entire length of the torso. They enable us to stand up straight and move around. The better core stability an athlete has, the more powerful movements they can send to their arms and legs.

Good core stability can help keep an athlete injury free and is particularly useful for avoiding back injuries. Stronger core muscles reduce the amount of strain put on an athlete’s spine by improving their posture.

An athlete who has poor core stability isn't just at risk of back injuries - their poor posture can also lead to a flawed running technique that can cause injuries like Achilles tendinitis and shin splints, along with a number of other overuse injuries.

A mistake that many athletes make about core stability is that it centres completely on the abdominal muscles. There are many other muscles that contribute to a strong core including hip flexors, Gluteus medius and minimus and the multifidus. All of these areas require strengthening to improve overall core stability.

We have more information on core stability training and how it contributes to avoiding injury in the articles listed below.

Download the Free Core Stability Report.