Core Strength

Critical for both stability and movement, the core includes muscles of the spine, abdomen, hip, and shoulder. Over the past 20 years, there has been growing interest in the area of core stabilization for the prevention and rehabilitation of back injuries as well as for the enhancement of athletic abilities. For example, it is now known that weakness of the pelvic muscles is a predictor of back pain in the college athlete. It has also been shown that sports performance is related to the strength of pelvic musculature and proper activation of the abdominal and back muscles.

However, debate continues over the exact definition of the core and the most effective methods of stabilization. Some authors have divided the core into the upper quadrant core and the lower quadrant core. The upper quadrant core refers to the shoulder girdle, including the glenohumeral joint (the shoulder joint) and the scapulothoracic articulation (the area of contact between the shoulder blade and the upper back). The lower quadrant core muscles include those of the spine, abdomen, and hip.

Power for many athletic movements is generated in these core muscles. Adequate power must be created and transferred efficiently from the core to the limbs for the system to work at maximal capacity. In the overhead throwing athlete, the transfer of force from the lower quadrant core to the upper quadrant core is essential for effective throwing.

These muscles must be both strong and well coordinated to provide stability and allow the athlete to adapt rapidly to changing conditions on the field of play. Therefore, they are a crucial aspect of training and rehabilitation programs. A large variety of exercises are classified under the category of “core stabilization,” and the importance of specific components of core stabilization is an area of ongoing study. Combinations of muscles are used for different tasks, and in general, it is recommended that athletes not focus solely on individual muscles but instead address muscle groups and functional motor patterns.