By Renée GOMES DA SILVA
THE CORE
The core is a complex series of muscles which extend far beyond your abs.
The core includes the abdominal, back and gluteal muscles. Your core is a dynamic stabilizer in all three planes of movement which allows for transfers of force from one muscle to another as well as a ‘shock absorber’ for injury.
Stability refers to the body’s ability to control movement.When we look at the golf swing for instance and the importance of effective functional movement, it is imperative to learn how to maintain a good spine angle, thorax to pelvis separation, generate power from the hips and stabilise the spine and pelvis respectively.
Core stability reduces the risk of injury commonly found in golf and improves sporting performance. Lower back pain and injury are often a result of movement restrictions in the upper spine and hips. Once movement is limited in these regions, the lower spine is forced to produce rotation in the golf swing. The result is at best reduced distance, accuracy and consistency in shots and at worst, injury. A more effective approach is to train stability in the lumbar spine and mobility in the hips and upper spine.
IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT THE AESTHETICS
More often than not, it has become more aesthetically pleasing to build a pack of abs or have a flat stomach that looks great rather than serve its function.
The core, is in most cases understood to be the front abdominal muscles and if these muscles are lean, you are said to be strong. I’ve seen it in so many instances where a muscle, as much as it looks impressive, does not necessarily mean it serves its full function or is strong.
