What is the core stability?

Core stability

Kibler, et al., (2006) alleged a general definition of core stability as the ability to control the position and motion of the trunk over the pelvis and leg to allow optimum production, transfer and control of force and motion to the terminal segment in integrated kinetic chain activities. The core can be described as a muscular box with the abdominals in the front, par spinals and gluteus in the back, the diaphragm as the roof, and the pelvic floor and hip girdle musculature as the bottom (Faries and Greenwood, 2007). Core strength should be distinguished from core stability.

Core strength versus core stability

Term of core strength refers to the strength of these core muscles. Core muscle strength is usually operationally defined by a measurement of the strength of core muscles, either in terms of how much weight/resistance a muscle can lift, how many repetitions a muscle can perform, or how long a muscle can hold a neutral stable position (Faries and Greenwood, 2007).

So, "stabili­ty" describes the ability of the body to control the whole range of motion. In general, the goal of the core musculature is to stabilize the spine during functional demands, because the body wants to maximize this stability. When the term "core stability" is used, reference is being made to the stability of the spine, not the stability of the muscles them­selves (Faries and Greenwood, 2007). Measurement of core stability is more challenging to measure than core muscle strength as it requires incorporating parameters of coordination and balance. An example of testing ones core stability is a lunge. A lunge is a dynamic movement in which a large step forward bending the knee, and touching the opposite knee to the ground. The spine should maintain an erect posture, without tilting the pelvis or shoulders, the forward foot is directly under the knee, the forward leg does not deviate to either the right or the left. Accomplishing this maneuver without deviation requires the deep trunk muscles to control the spine, pelvis and hips, while lifting the body’s weight.

A more challenging example of testing core stability would be the Olympic weight lift of the “clean and jerk. This requires very strong core muscles, correct spinal alignment, while lifting a progressively heavier weight. Another example is to maintain the spine and trunk in a stable alignment while, sitting, or standing on an unstable surface such as a gym ball, or balance board while lifting weight with the arms or legs.