Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Role of Core Stability in Athletic Function

  • Current Opinion
  • Published:
Sports Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The importance of function of the central core of the body for stabilisation and force generation in all sports activities is being increasingly recognised. ‘Core stability’ is seen as being pivotal for efficient biomechanical function to maximise force generation and minimise joint loads in all types of activities ranging from running to throwing. However, there is less clarity about what exactly constitutes ‘the core’, either anatomically or physiologically, and physical evaluation of core function is also variable.

‘Core stability’ is defined as the ability to control the position and motion of the trunk over the pelvis to allow optimum production, transfer and control of force and motion to the terminal segment in integrated athletic activities. Core muscle activity is best understood as the pre-programmed integration of local, single-joint muscles and multi-joint muscles to provide stability and produce motion. This results in proximal stability for distal mobility, a proximal to distal patterning of generation of force, and the creation of interactive moments that move and protect distal joints. Evaluation of the core should be dynamic, and include evaluation of the specific functions (trunk control over the planted leg) and directions of motions (three-planar activity). Rehabilitation should include the restoring of the core itself, but also include the core as the base for extremity function.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Baechle TR, Earle RW, Wathen D. Resistance training. In: Baechle TR, Earle RW, editors. Essentials of strength training and conditioning. 2nd ed. Champaign (IL): Human Kinetics, 2000: 395–425

    Google Scholar 

  2. Putnam CA. Sequential motions of body segments in striking and throwing skills. J Biomech 1993; 26: 125–135

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Zattara M, Bouisset S. Posturo-kinetic organization during the early phase of voluntary limb movement. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1988; 51: 956–965

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Nichols TR. A biomechanical perspective on spinal mechanisms of coordinated muscle activation. Acta Anat (Basel) 1994; 15: 1–13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Bergmark A. Stability of the lumbar spine: a study in mechanical engineering. Acta Orthop Scand Suppl 1989; 230: 1–54

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Panjabi M. The stabilizing system of the spine — part II: neutral zone and stability hypothesis. J Spinal Disord 1992; 5: 390–397

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Steffen R, Nolte LP, Pingel TH. Importance of back muscles in rehabilitation of postoperative lumbar instability: a biomechanical analysis. Rehabilitation (Stuttg) 1994; 33: 164–170

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Wilke HJ, Wolf S, Claes LE, et al. Stability increase of the lumbar spine with different muscle groups: a biomechanical in vitro study. Spine 1995; 20: 192–198

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Cresswell AG, Oddsson L, Thorstensson A. The influence of sudden perturbations on trunk muscle activity and intra-ab-dominal pressure while standing. Exp Brain Res 1994; 98 (2): 336–341

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Oddsson LI. Control of voluntary trunk movements in man: mechanisms for postural equilibrium during standing. Acta Physiol Scand Suppl 1990; 595: 1–60

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. McGill SM, Norman RW. Reassessment of the role of intraabdominal pressure in spinal compression. Ergonomics 1987; 30 (11): 1565–1588

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Aruin AS, Latash ML. Directional specificity of postural muscles in feed-forward postural reactions during fast voluntary arm movements. Exp Brain Res 1995; 103 (2): 323–332

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Hodges PW, Richardson CA. Feedforward contraction of transversus abdominus is not influenced by the direction of the arm movement. Exp Brain Res 1997; 114: 362–370

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Cordo PJ, Nashner LM. Properties of postural adjustments associated with rapid arm movements. J Neurophysiol 1982; 47: 287–302

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Hodges PW, Butler JE, McKenzie DK, et al. Contraction of the human diaphragm during rapid postural adjustments. J Physiol 1997; 505 (Pt 2): 539–548

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Hodges PW. Core stability exercise in chronic low back pain. Orthop Clin N Am 2003; 34: 245–254

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Jensen BR, Laursen B, Sjogaard G. Aspects of shoulder function in relation to exposure demands and fatigue. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 2000; 15 Suppl. 1: S17–S20

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Cholewicki J, Juluru K, McGill SM, et al. Intra-abdominal pressure mechanism for stabilizing the lumbar spine. J Biomech 1999; 32 (1): 13–17

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. McGill SM. Low back stability: from formal description to issues for performance and rehabilitation. Exerc Sports Sci Rev 2001; 29: 26–31

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Daggfeldt K, Thorstensson A. The role of intra-abdominal pressure in spinal unloading. J Biomech 1997; 30 (11-12): 1149–1155

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Ebenbichler GR, Oddsson LI, Kollmiter J, et al. Sensory motor control of the lower back: implications for rehabilitation. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2001; 33: 1889–1898

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Van Ingen Schenau GJ, Bobbert MF, Rozendahl RH. The unique action of bi-articulate muscles in complex movements. J Anat 1987; 155: 1–5

    Google Scholar 

  23. Kibler WB. Biomechanical analysis of the shoulder during tennis activities. Clin Sports Med 1996; 14: 79–85

    Google Scholar 

  24. Young JL, Herring SA, Press JM, et al. The influence of the spine on the shoulder in the throwing athlete. J Back Musculo-skeletal Rehabil 1996; 7: 5–17

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. McGill SM. The lumbodorsal fascia, in low back disorders: evidence based prevention and rehabilitation. Champaign (IL): Human Kinetics, 2002: 79–80

    Google Scholar 

  26. Hirashima M, Kadota H, Sakurai S, et al. Sequential muscle activity and its functional role in the upper extremity and trunk during overarm throwing. J Sports Sci 2002; 20: 301–310

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Kebatse M, McClure P, Pratt N. Thoracic position effect on shoulder range of motion, strength, and 3-D scapular kinematics. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 1999; 80: 945–950

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Kibler WB, Sciascia A, Dome DC. Evaluation of apparent and absolute supraspinatus strength in patients with shoulder injury using the scapular retraction test. Am J Sports Med. In press

  29. Stodden DF, Fleisig GS, McLean SP, et al. Relationship of biomechanical factors to baseball pitching velocity: within pitcher variation. J Appl Biomech 2005; 21: 44–56

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Hirashima M, Kudo K, Ohtsuki T. Utilization and compensation of interaction torques during ball throwing movements. J Neurophysiol 2003; 89: 1784–1796

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Marshall RN, Elliott BC. Long axis rotation: the missing link in proximal to distal segmental sequencing. J Sports Sci 2000; 18: 247–254

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Happee R, van der Helm FC. Control of shoulder muscles during goal-directed movements. J Biomech 1995; 28: 1170–1191

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. McConnell J. The physical therapist’s approach to patellofemoral disorders. Clin Sports Med 2002; 21: 363–388

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Malone T, Davies G, Walsh WM. Muscular control of the patella. Clin Sports Med 2002; 21: 349–362

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Leetun DT, Ireland ML, Wilson JD, et al. Core stability measures as risk factors for lower extremity injury in athletes. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2004; 36 (6): 926–934

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Kibler WB, Livingston BP. Closed chain rehabilitation for upper and lower extremities. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2001; 9: 412–421

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Elliott BC, Fleisig G, Nicholls R, et al. Technique effects on upper limb loading in the tennis serve. J Sci Med Sport 2003; 6: 76–87

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Burkhart SS, Morgan CD, Kibler WB. Throwing injuries in the shoulder: the dead arm revisited. Clin Sports Med 2000; 19: 125–158

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. McGill S. Low back disorders: evidence-based prevention and rehabilitation. Champaign (IL): Human Kinetics, 2002: 239–257

    Google Scholar 

  40. Nadler SF, Malanga GA, Feinberg JH, et al. Functional performance deficits in athletes with previous lower extremity injury. Clin J Sport Med 2002; 12 (2): 73–78

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Nadler SF, Malanga GA, DePrince M, et al. The relationship between lower extremity injury, low back pain, and hip muscle strength in male and female collegiate athletes. Clin J Sport Med 2000; 10 (2): 89–97

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Kibler WB, McMullen J. Rehabilitation of scapular dyskinesis. In: Brotzman SB, Wilk KE, editors. Clinical orthopedic rehabilitation. 2nd ed. St Louis (MO): Mosby, 2003: 244–250

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

No sources of funding were used to assist in the preparation of this review. The authors have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this review.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lexington Clinic Sports Medicine Center, 1221 South Broadway, Lexington, Kentucky, 40504, USA

    W. Ben Kibler & Aaron Sciascia

  2. Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA

    Joel Press

Authors
  1. W. Ben Kibler
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Joel Press
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Aaron Sciascia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Aaron Sciascia.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kibler, W.B., Press, J. & Sciascia, A. The Role of Core Stability in Athletic Function. Sports Med 36, 189–198 (2006). https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200636030-00001

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200636030-00001

Keywords

Search

Navigation