Core stability. It’s a term that gets thrown around a lot, but what is it and why is it important?

The core refers to the middle part of your body, from the diaphragm to the pelvis and includes all the muscles, ligaments and joints in between.

There are two systems of stability that our body has, passive and active. Passive core stability refers to the ligaments and joint capsules that hold the joints in the spine and pelvis together. Ligaments do not contract like muscles do but rather behave like elastic bands. We are unable to control the passive system, and it is most often the ligaments and discs of the passive system that become injured, inflamed and painful.

Active stability refers to the muscles that are found in the core area of our body, that is our abdominals, pelvic floor, diaphragm and back. These muscles work together to provide stability to the spine and our whole body. Combined controlled contractions of these core muscles assist and protect the passive structures from injury.

The core strengthening exercise programs found in myExercise.com.au target the muscles that make up the active stability system in our body. By learning to activate, control and strengthen these muscles you will improve your core stability. This will help to reduce pain and prevent injury by taking the pressure and strain off the passive structures.

Members to myExercise get free access to all program updates and member only downloads.