Why is it important to have strong core muscles? First, what
are we talking about when we say core? The core of our bodies consists of the
abdominal, lower back, and middle back muscles, also including the hip area,
and sometimes the shoulder area.
Two main reasons for
why core is important for runners besides looking good:
1. Running Efficiency
Running efficiency is very important because if a runner can
spend less energy per step when running, then they will be able to go for a
longer period of time. The way this works is that if our core is weak, then
each step we take our bodies are not equipped to efficiently transfer the
kinetic energy that is produced when we make contact with the ground. When our
core is strong we are able to efficiently make contact with the ground and
swing our opposite leg forward to continue the running motion, as stated by Dominic McKinley and Joe
Mullins in their article. Most
runners are always looking for a way to run faster. If the miles are going very
well, then the next thing to look for is strength training, starting with the
core.
2. Injury Prevention
If you are a runner that has ever been injured, you must
understand the agony, physically, and mentally it can cause. Core exercises do
not guarantee an injury free running life, but can significantly help. The
reason is that, as runners, we put a lot of stress on our bodies. With all of
this stress of training, and our repeated pounding on our muscles, if we have
any inefficiency in our form these get constantly repeated. With the repetition
of incorrect movement we become more susceptible to injury. Our core is what keeps us stable and able to
run efficiently so that we don’t run into any problems.
If you are looking to add a couple core exercises to your
usual routine, or thinking about starting a routine, here is an article about Four
Key Core Exercises for Runners.
“Perseverance is the hard work you do
after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did.”
Newt Gingrich
Improve each day!
Until next time,
Michael Duncan
No comments:
Post a Comment