Comprising of the muscles in your abdomen, hips, back, and chest, your core muscles not only connect
your upper and lower body, but are involved in all kinds of movements you make, from mopping the floor to lifting an object to height. As a result, their strength and flexibility plays a great role in how well your arms and legs function. Apart from this, they also help prevent falls and injuries by improving the balance and stability of your body.
Considering the considerable involvement of core muscles in normal body movements, one can suggest that core strengthening in important to all individuals, regardless of their involvement in sports and athletics.
What are Core Muscles?
The area of the body that’s commonly referred to as core comprises of four types of muscle groups. These include:
- Transversus Abdominis — Commonly known as the 6-pack muscles, transversus abdominis includes abdominal muscles that are attached to the individual vertebrae of the spinal cord and are responsible for providing stability.
- Multifidi — Lying on either side of the spine, these are back muscles that are connected to the lumbar vertebrae. These muscles keep the spine upright, and therefore, are important for good posture.
- Diaphragm — These are the chest muscles that remain contracted to provide stability to the spine and maintain optimum pressure for adequate breathing.
- Pelvic Floor — Extending from the bottom tip of the spine to front of the pelvis, Pelvic floor muscles contract in coordination with abdominal muscles to facilitate movement and stability.
Together, these four muscle groups comprise the core of your body and have a significant role in maintaining balance and stability.
Why Core Strengthening is Important?
Beautiful female ballet dancer jumping on a gray background. Ballerina is wearing in pink tutu and pointe shoes
Contrary to popular assumption, core strengthening is not only important for athletes and fitness enthusiasts, but also for individuals who are not involved in any kinds of sports. Here are a few reasons you should contact your North York physiotherapist to learn more about pelvic floor physiotherapy and other core strengthening exercises.
- Prevent Injuries — Core strengthening exercises can improve the strength and flexibility of your core muscles, allowing you to stand strong even on the bumpiest ride and prevent you from injuries arising due to falls.
- Good Posture — Slouching, hunching, and other postural abnormalities are indicative of weak core muscles. Core strengthening exercises can improve your posture, making you look and feel more confident.
- Improved Health — Core strengthening exercises not only improves your posture, but also helps you avoid the musculoskeletal problems arising due to poor posture, such as upper and low back pain, shoulder pain, etc.
Many exercise programs such as pilates and yoga can benefit your core stabilization. A trained kinesiologist or exercise therapist can challenge your core muscles in more advanced programs to improve performance and prevent injuries in high speed & high impact exercises such as hockey, football and soccer. Core strengthening is equally important in sports such as skating and gymnastics and dancers where a lot of control is needed in fast rotating movements and landings.
So, if you’re willing to build strong abdominal muscles and enjoy the many benefits of core strengthening exercises, you may consider scheduling a consultation with your Toronto physiotherapist. To know more about our services or to book an appointment, please call us at 416 444 4800.
