Core Stability

[Guest guest]

Resending this email...for some reason my first attempt came through all

messed up:Roy Palmer asks, " There has been alot of discussion on this topic

of late about the usefulness of stabilising the 'core'. Does anyone know

where this philosophy originated from? "

I suspect it orginated from ph Pilates.  He used the term, " core

stabilization " and it is still part of the vocabulary of the Pilates

" movement. "   Pilates is very hip right now...at least one certification

organization for fitness instructors & personal trainers is pushing a watered

down version of Pilates called " mat science " which blends in some common

yoga.  Supposedly this type of exercise develops " long, lean muscles " and

improves the " stabilizing, CORE muscles. "   (At this point, the " mat science "

instructor usually points to her trunk so you know what she means by

" stabilizing CORE muscles. " )  Go figure.

I took an abdominal workout class recently with a very stylish teacher who

informed us that basic crunches weren't " in " anymore.  She explained that

crunches strengthen the " six pack " and the " obliques " , but crunches don't

strenghten THE CORE, and THE CORE is what really matters if you want a flat

stomach.  She stressed, " It's very important to stabilize the core. "  

(I should get to work on that right away.  Heaven forbid that I should have

any INSTABILITIES in my transverse abdominus!)

By the way, the term " core " has also been batted around to mean " basic

exercises " that you should regularly include in your fitness program.  I

think that use of the word was coined by Reebok.

Suzanne Cart

Dove Canyon, CA

[Guest guest]

Bob Helfst <bob@p...> wrote:

<Roy, I am not sure where the notion of core stability originated. I

don't happen to think it is stupid. Whether you refer to it as

the " core " or the torso or the hips and butt or the lumbopelvic

region, our sedentary society is weak there and for the most part

everywhere else. Does that mean that all athletes are weak there,

no. Does that mean that we can make the jump from patients to

athletes, no. However, many non-athletes do not have the strength to

sit in chair without freefalling. Many struggle or lack the ability

to perform ADLs like getting groceries from the trunk of a car or

squat to pick something off of the floor. Our kids are weak and

poorly developed in motor skills courtesy of too many hours spent

sitting and watching instead of doing.

I'm not exactly sure what " core stability " is all about (it seemed

clearer to me at one time), but there are definitely deficits in that

area that must be addressed. Since the muscle of the thighs, hips,

buttocks, abdominals and back (and on and on) must function together,

they must be trained together. Call it what you will, but whether

I'm seeing patients or coaching kids, I'm seeing deficits.

I think that this concept has been marketed and bastardized to the

point where it can hardly be taken seriously, but the basics to the

concept do have a place. >

I agree with some of Bo's points here - also Marshall Bradley's

comments in message #5796....

<It seems to me that much of the hostility & antagonism that goes on

in this discussion group (often resembling a session of question time

in the Australian parliament)stems from the diverse approaches to

training of its participants.

Obviously many people on this list come

from competitive power lifting, or similar, backgrounds. But let us

not forget that, as Bob suggests, many people struggle to pick

something up off the floor in their day to day lives. We each have

our own interests that bring us to this group, & as for myself, I

couldn't care less how much you can deadlift or squat (no disrespect

intended) because I'm not involved in competitive sport.

I am studying to become a CFT because I would like to be able to help

people improve their quality of life, by improving the way they feel

& function. So while resistive cords & Swiss balls etc. may be

entirely useless to a compeditive powerlifter, I don't see why they

could not be effective & appropriate tools for 'common people',

beginners or those requiring rehabilitation.

As for the core - surely these techniques that stem from the so

called " cult of core stability " are still useful tools, even if its

for nothing other that adding some variety & interest to a training

program. >

This discussion group has proven to be an excellent resourse for my

studies - thanks to all who contribute. Bring it on.

Regards

Kane Spooner

Adelaide, Australia