It doesn’t matter whether you play tennis, golf, or like to walk around: the two most important parts of your body are your legs and your core. Without a strong core and the proper balance, a leg brace will cramp up, and you could easily suffer a leg injury. Find out why core strength is essential. There are many benefits of having a solid core. Here are 5 of the top reasons why you should be working on your core strength:
1. Reduces the Risk of Injury
Your core is essential because it protects your spine and internal organs. You will be less likely to experience injuries like lower back pain or even a herniated disc when you strengthen your core.
2. Improves Athletic Performance
Having a solid core will help improve your athletic performance. A weak core can cause problems with posture, balance, and coordination, ultimately affecting your movement. The better your credit is when playing sports, the more likely it’ll be that you’ll be able to perform at an optimal level. Do more core exercises to make your core strong and stable.
3. Improves Posture
Your posture is also important because it can affect how others perceive you and how healthy you feel inside and out. A strong stance helps keep balance in the body, leading to less muscle fatigue over time and making you look more confident when walking around!
4. Helps You Lose Weight
If you have a weak or tight midsection, then this could contribute to some extra fat around your waistline! Strengthening this area will help burn off those extra pounds!
5. Regulates Digestion and Elimination
Having a solid core helps regulate digestion and elimination by strengthening all the muscles in your abdomen region, such as your obliques (side abs), transverse abdominus (deep abs), etc. This allows for better digestion, leading to better elimination as well!
6. Improves Balance and Stability
The core supports your spine, pelvis, and rib cage so you can move with more power in all directions without losing your balance. This makes it easier to walk upstairs, squat down to pick up objects, and do many other everyday activities that require good balance and coordination.
7. Prevents Lower Back Pain
Your lower back comprises five vertebrae (L1-5), which are connected by ligaments called facet joints. When those joints become inflamed due to overuse or injury, it causes pain in the lower back region, known as sciatica. The best way to relieve sciatica pain is by strengthening your core muscles because they stabilize the spine when you bend forward or backward.
Summing Up!
It’s easy to see why the core is essential. As Dr. Crawford puts it, the core is about “efficiency of movement” while playing your sport.
If your core is weak, you will limit the power and strength in your hips and legs, which is why building a strong and adequately balanced core is essential for success as an athlete.
But beyond athletes, having a strong core can make everyday life much easier. If you’re interested in learning more from Dr. Crawford, head over to his website and consider booking an appointment for your next check-up!
By Dr. Kevin Crawford, Lubbock Sports Medicine Doctor and Orthopedic Surgeon.
Here’s to your health!
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Dr. Kevin Crawford