Core Strength Training

Certainly currently "in-vogue" core stability training incorporates movement contractions and specific instruction in order to activate muscles of the core. The muscles of the core are:

1. The deep abdominals (transversus abdominis & internal obliques)
2. The deep trunk stabilizers (multifidus and rotators)
3. The pelvic floor
4. The diaphragm

When these muscles contract simultaneously we get what is called "the barrel effect" where the area between the ribs and the pelvis is "held" or "braced". There are a very important criteria that must be in place for core training to be effective:

   1.  Training must be transferred to activities incorporating movement. In other words, stationary (predominantly isometric) training when performed in isolation is not as effective.
   2.  Training must facilitate muscles being recruited (switched on) reflexively or automatically.

We have these core muscles to protect our spines and the core of the body (abdominal area) that is vulnerable because it is not protected by the skeleton. Core muscles are turned on "reactively" by the brain. In other words when you make trunk movements the core muscles are switched on to brace you. Generally this is too complex to rely on conscious thought (somatic recruitment) so the brain takes over and engages sub-conscious mechanisms. So to effectively produce adaptations in core muscles one must first learn to engage the muscles through conscious training (Pilates and Ball work etc) then move on to more dynamic movements (such as the Syco XT) where reactive recruitment takes place. In this respect the XT will produce intermediate to advanced core strength adaptations when combined with activities such as yoga Pilates and ball work.