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| For Questions Call/Text Dr. Jimenez Personally @ 915-540-8444 or Contact Us @ 915-850-0900 |
When participating in any sport, core strength is crucial
towards an athlete’s overall performance. The body’s core consists of the back
and the abdominal muscles and for many athletes, this area can be a weakness. In
runners for example, a strong core can prevent injuries to other joints
including the hips and knees. In cyclists, a strong core is essential to apply
power to each pedal. And finally, skiers depend on a strong core to allow them
to continue supplying their body with energy for longer distances while
reducing the effort on the rest of the body.
Essentially, having a strong core helps stabilize the body
to allow the individual to perform to their fullest capacity. Strong back and
abdominal muscles ultimately improve agility, stamina, and strength.
Increasing core strength to improve performance for any sport
is not difficult, in fact, a regular routine of crunches together with several
other basic exercises can help. Planks are another common core strength exercise.
These are performed by holding a push-up-like position while the body’s weight
is carried on the forearms, elbows, and toes. A side plank, also used to
increase core strength, is similar to a plank except its performed by turning
the body onto its side, keeping the legs extended while the feet and hips are resting
on the ground and stacked on top of each other then placing the elbow directly
under the shoulder to prop up the torso and alight the head with the spine. When participating in core exercises, always
be sure to not over-exert your body as many athletes commonly experience injuries
from forcing greater repetitions especially when their core is not properly
contracting. If you feel the contraction leaving your stomach and going toward
your back, buttocks, or hip flexors, an injury can often occur.
Occasionally, an individual’s core muscles might not contract
properly due to a possible complication of the spine that could be causing
nerve compression or damage. Individuals who’ve previously suffered from
chronic back problems or had a recent back injury can experience difficulty
exercising their muscles to their fullest potential. A chiropractic doctor can
help determine where the spine is impacting your muscle strength. For athletes
and the general public alike, its essential to maintain a good physical
condition in order to remain active and continue enjoying the sports they
enjoy.
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
