|| Core activations - the evidence still sucks ||
The amount of patients we still see that are dedicating huge amounts of time and energy into sucking in their tummy muscles and bracing their core in preparation for movement is still too much.
The problem is this whole idea of "core stability" was born from a piece of research that seemed to suggest that those individuals whose muscles didn't activate in preparation for impending postural perturbation were more likely to suffer back pain. Since then though it would seem that further research like this by Gubler et al continues to debunk this theory. Even so the trends of "TA Activation" and "Core Stability" remain.
Though these techniques can be more useful than nothing at all and can be a handy way to promote some better awareness and understanding of ones body as a beginner exercise in a rehabilitation plan always progress to movements that integrate movement in a meaningful way based on the patients wants, needs and goals.
Physiotherapist, author and founder of the BreatheAbility approach of Breathing Retraining
8 年In my patients, I see this over-focus on sucking in stomachs and core activation can lead to dysfunctional breathing patterns with persistent low-level anxiety and even panic attacks. More often seen in women.