Core Stability Training for Injury Prevention

Abstract

Context:Enhancing core stability through exercise is common to musculoskeletal injury prevention programs. Definitive evidence demonstrating an association between core instability and injury is lacking; however, multifaceted prevention programs including core stabilization exercises appear to be effective at reducing lower extremity injury rates.Evidence Acquisition:PubMed was searched for epidemiologic, biomechanic, and clinical studies of core stability for injury prevention (keywords: “core OR trunk” AND “training OR prevention OR exercise OR rehabilitation” AND “risk OR prevalence”) published between January 1980 and October 2012. Articles with relevance to core stability risk factors, assessment, and training were reviewed. Relevant sources from articles were also retrieved and reviewed.Results:Stabilizer, mobilizer, and load transfer core muscles assist in understanding injury risk, assessing core muscle function, and developing injury prevention programs. Moderate evidence of alterations in core muscle recruitment and injury risk exists. Assessment tools to identify deficits in volitional muscle contraction, isometric muscle endurance, stabilization, and movement patterns are available. Exercise programs to improve core stability should focus on muscle activation, neuromuscular control, static stabilization, and dynamic stability.Conclusion:Core stabilization relies on instantaneous integration among passive, active, and neural control subsystems. Core muscles are often categorized functionally on the basis of stabilizing or mobilizing roles. Neuromuscular control is critical in coordinating this complex system for dynamic stabilization. Comprehensive assessment and training require a multifaceted approach to address core muscle strength, endurance, and recruitment requirements for functional demands associated with daily activities, exercise, and sport.

Core Stability Exercise Versus General Exercise for Chronic Low Back Pain

“…1 Core stability exercises have become a popular form of therapeutic exercise and are seen as a critical component to restoring proper kinetic function. 2 However, evidence to support their use and draw definitive conclusions is lacking. 1,2 Further complicating the treatment of LBP are the lack of a universal definition of core stability and the disputed accuracy of clinical tests used to identify an unstable core.…”

“…2 However, evidence to support their use and draw definitive conclusions is lacking. 1,2 Further complicating the treatment of LBP are the lack of a universal definition of core stability and the disputed accuracy of clinical tests used to identify an unstable core. 1 In their systematic review, Wang et al 3 found that core exercises produced better outcomes than general exercise during the initial 3 months of intervention for LBP.…”

“…2,3 One of the few studies to evaluate the role of core stability in the risk of injury was performed by Zazulak et al 6 on female collegiate soccer athletes. After obtaining prospective measurements of neuromuscular control in repositioning trunk displacement, the authors tracked knee injuries over 3 years.…”

Efeitos do treinamento com Kinect Sports e Kinect Adventures na resistência da musculatura lombopélvica de adultos jovens saudáveis: ensaio clínico não randomizado

“…Evidences suggest that lumbar-pelvic disorders are more often caused by changes in muscle recruiting (time, amplitude and resistance) than by changes in muscle force 1,2 . Lumbar-pelvic stability contributes to the control of movements of the trunk and pelvis in relation to the lower extremities; allowing, thus, the production, dissipation and transfer of power during the movement 1,2 . Therefore, lumbar-pelvic instability is considered a risk factor for the onset of lumbar pain, postural changes and structural degenerative processes 3,4 .…”

“…The stability of the lumbar-pelvic complex aims to maintain the balance of the spine within physiological limits, in order to protect structural integrity and reduce dislocation caused by disturbances 1 . Evidences suggest that lumbar-pelvic disorders are more often caused by changes in muscle recruiting (time, amplitude and resistance) than by changes in muscle force 1,2 .…”