I spent quite a bit of time at GAIN 09 examining the currently accepted model of core stability. ALL of the big core guys use it. It appears in Andry Vleeming's books from the late 90s.
It is the "pirate ship" concept. That is, a ship mast (spine) with a skull on top (head), with 2 sets of guy wires attached. An "inner unit" (multifidus, TA, Ext. Oblique et al), and an "outer unit" (erector spinae, rectus ab. et al). The inner unit providing inter segmental stability, with the outer unit in control of column movement in general.
My question was, what would happen if you took this model and tossed it in the air (gymnastics, platform diving etc)?...or tossed it in a swimming pool upside down or on it's side (swimming)? Is not core stability required in these environments?
I believe the problem is spine stability is interchangeably used with core stability. That's where we get the concept of the core as a "rigid pillar". Core strength expressed as "stiffness", connotating something isometric in nature. It's very rare someone injures their spine lying down, so this makes sense.
But when we think of core, we're not only thinking the external's influence on the internal, we are also thinking vise versa. That is, the role of the core in ACL prevention, or hustling up off the ground after a fall. I've seen McGill's bracing exercises used in ACL prevention programs. Is this the proper application of a bracing exercise?
Juan & other physios & A.T.'s that treat backs, I would really enjoy your input on this. Did Vleeming intend this to be a core stability model?
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I see spine stability and core stability to be closely related and interdependent, but not the same thing. Just shooing from the hip I would define spinal stability as the ability to maintain, normal and pain free joint spaces and relationships. Core stability I would define as the ability to maintain a stable trunk from which the extremities may perform action.
These may not be the best and most complete definitions, but they hit what I am working on when seeing a patient or training a client. If the spine cannot maintain pain free positions and keep pressure off neural tissue, performance is going to suffer, and conversely if the trunk is unable to act as a platform for the extremities to function off of, it is going to be difficult to maintain pain free joint spaces
Thanks for getting us started Jerimiah. What I'm getting at in this particular model is, the core CAN be "strong", yet pressure could still be on neural tissue. I think it trivializes the impact of the head, arms/legs on core function. To be continued...
Your core muscles can be strong and they can have great endurance and you can still have a pain problem. I know this from personal experience. I am a middle-aged tennis player who has had a low back pain problem for about 4 years. I have been through the Stuart McGill progression of exercises several times and other physical therapy approaches with no effect. The problem as I see it, is that some individuals who have chronic pain problems are actually mechanically well. However, their central nervous system interprets normal feedback signals from the muscles, joints, etc. as being harmful. In effect, their sensitivity to stimulus is greatly increased. The challenge is not to make these people stronger, fitter or give them increased endurance, but rather is to somehow reprogram the central nervous system.
Awesome Marshall. Thanks for your response- we are getting closer.
I believe we can have:
The right exercise...
With the right tool...
With the right technique...
For the right reason...
For the right body part...
At the right time...
At the right angle...
But if we have the wrong dosage we are not going to be successful.
REMEMBER... NOT ENOUGH LOAD AND THE TISSUE WILL BECOME WEAK... TOO MUCH LOAD AND THE TISSUE WILL BREAK DOWN...SO WE NEED TO FIND THE RIGHT AMOUNT AND QUANTIFY IT.
From a strength coach perspective I see a lot of fellow professionals spending a lot of time strengthening/stabilizing by doing prone/supine work. I just don't think this helps anyone - with the exception of wrestlers - and even then not enough standing work is being done. To me this seems to be ignoring the role that gravity plays in the equation.
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