Generally, when people think of strengthening their core muscles they usually only focus on exercising the abdominal muscles. However, the abdominal muscles are a very small part of the core, and have very little to do with the actual strengthening of the core.
The core of the human body actually consists of many different muscles that run the entire length of the entire core. These muscles help stabilize the spine, pelvis and shoulders, and provide a solid foundation for movement in the extremities. Not only do these muscles help control movements, but they also assist in the transfer of energy and the shifting of body weight. A strong core distributes the stresses on the spine, helps maintain appropriate posture, and helps reduce back pain.
The major muscles of the core consist of both inner and outer muscles. The inner core is a group of very small deep muscles that are close to our spine and when they contract, they provide our spine with stability. The outer core are muscles that deal with movement.
Core stabilization is the process of strengthening the muscles of the core and helps you learn to use the outer and inner muscles before you start to move. When strengthening these muscles the focus is on stability, breathing, and smooth, coordinated movement. This process is important because all the parts of your body are connected to one another, either directly or indirectly. This connection is referred to as the kinetic chain, which connects all the parts of the body with the core being the center. Essentially, this means that all movements of the body are all related to one another, and when the core is healthy and strong the chance of injury decreases.
Article on the Inner Core
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