First off, many athletes erroneously cling to the notion that six-pack abs are a sure sign of a strong core. More to the point, it’s unclear whether core-specific training benefits athletic performance at all. In one study, a group of collegiate rowers who added an arduous eight-week regimen of core exercises to their regular rowing workouts wound up with stronger, tauter cores. But they didn’t become better rowers: their performance levels remained the same. Similarly, researchers at Indiana State University measured core strength among a group of Division I varsity football players and then had them complete sets of standard exercise drills like shuttle runs. The researchers found almost no correlation between a supercharged core and athletic performance.
What’s more, the crunch, that ubiquitous exercise that promises a solid midsection, is often harmful, because many gym rats are pumping them out with terrible form. When researchers simulated crunches using spines from pig cadavers, the spinal disks usually ruptured after a couple thousand reps. “Crunches are totally unnecessary,” says Thomas Nesser, a professor of physical education at Indiana State University.
Get over it: Core strength is important, but most people get what they need simply by practicing their sport. Common routines like squats, deadlifts, and kettlebell drills add plenty of core strength. And new studies show that running—long thought to provide little or no core benefit—does work your midsection. “Train for your sport and core strength will develop,” advises Nesser.
Comments
Core strength may not improve performance, yet it improves stability, which reduces injury. So, Yah, core strength will likely improve performance becaue you'll be out there competing more instead of recovering from an injured back.
Flag ThisCore strength may not improve performance, yet it improves stability, which reduces injury. So, Yah, core strength will likely improve performance becaue you'll be out there competing more instead of recovering from an injured back.
Flag Thisa solid core is one without a defined 6-pack, it is a solid block. and a strong core DOES enhance athletic performance... there was a study on rowers? they sit is a boat all day and practice the same motion, they use their lower back, shoulders and legs. Thanks for whoever conducted that ridiculous study. A solid core helps with balance which intern helps with agility. Your core is the center of your movement, to say that a stronger core doesn't make you more athletic is just ridiculous.... that is unless you are rowing a boat.
Flag ThisSo, the justification for concluding that core training is a "myth" comes from studying the effects of intensive core training on D1 athletes that almost certainly already do a lot of core training anyway. Hmm, maybe the myth should state that "additional core training won't help you if your exercise regime already includes core training." Now that conclusion is axiomatic! Of course crying "myth" would make sense if the ISU football program didn't include any core training which is...well...unlikely.
Flag ThisAnd their other choice - Rowing, which requires the athlete to sit and move though a fixed motion. Perhaps the ideal situation for core stability to NOT be important. Great example...
Flag ThisI'd like to point out that rowing is a core exercise. Rowing is one of the best as it uses many muscles at the same time. So I'd not bash rowing. On another note the study did quote accurately that the examination of "the crunch" was done on pig cadavers which is generally not even mentioned. There is absolutely no similarity of what happens to living tissue in this regard so a very bogus study at the least.
Flag ThisI'd like to point out that rowing is a core exercise. Rowing is one of the best as it uses many muscles at the same time. So I'd not bash rowing. On another note the study did quote accurately that the examination of "the crunch" was done on pig cadavers which is generally not even mentioned. There is absolutely no similarity of what happens to living tissue in this regard so a very bogus study at the least.
Flag ThisInstead of piggy backing on the comments made before me (which i agree with) I will address something different. What were their "core exercises" in the study?Was it just the crunches mentioned that was looked at? Given the article as a whole the author seems to be under the impression that the rectus abdominus is the only core muscle. Did their routines take into consideration the pelvic floor muscles, transversus abdominis, multifidus, internal and external obliques, rectus abdominis, erector spinae , and the diaphragm? While i agree that the crunch is by far not the best exercise for developing a strong core, i disagree with the article.
Flag ThisDepending on the sport, core exercises may be necessary. Someone who spends most of their time sitting on a bicycle will most definitely need to work their core, as cycling does little to increase core strength. In addition, cyclists need a strong core to keep back pain down and increase power to the pedals.
Flag ThisCrunches are a waste of time. They are not functional at all. I agree with this. Undisputedly, a strong core is important for almost every sport. What exactly that means varies a bit from sport to sport. My own experience with mainly biking (road and mountain biking) and running shows that just practicing these sports is not enough for adequately strengthening my core. After hours on the bike I tend to get uncomfortable in the shoulders and lower back. Hence, I add exercises like front planks and side planks to my training regimen. Once a week is enough and gone are these problems. Besides this indirectly enhances my endurance as I don't have to spend a lot of energy to compensate for a weak core.
Flag ThisStability, injury prevention and Postural correction are just a few ways you MUST have a safe, progressive Core routine. This however does not need to take up a massive part of your exercise program.
Flag ThisI went from couch potato to walking to doing triathlons in a period of a couple of years. I focused only on the sports I was doing and am now suffering for it. With issues ranging from back pain to hip and knee and neck pain. I am told by all my care givers that CORE strentgh is vital and that had I paid more attention to building a strong stable base to begin with or during my transformation from couch potato to athlete the. I would be progressing right now rather than rehabilitating. Sure people who are already athletes may not need to do core specific exercises to hit everything from abs to back to pelvis etc because they already have a strong base to work from doing functional exercises that engage the core and keep it strong without really thinking about it. People like me need to be told to strengthen their core before doing too much more or they may be headed for trouble - this article is not helpful and I fear may even be hazardous to the people in this group.
Flag ThisIt is important to not have a wesk core strength in a sport like swimming. to helps to keep the body higher in the water by better transmitting the transmission of force between the legs-arms to the body for a better position
Flag ThisIt depends on your sport. I ride, and core stability is key.
Flag ThisThe world of fitness would be much better if we stopped using the words like CORE and FUNCTIONAL and we just worked out. Everything we do from our left little toe to our right ear is Functional and Core work, so just flipping workout and enjoy it!
Flag ThisI'm seriously considering canceling my subscription based on this series of articles. Disappointing that Outside lets this garbage even online.
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