Core stability

In order to move, carry loads and so on, a certain degree of control and stability is necessary. These are provided by an integrated and coordinated complex system, such as muscles (active stabilization), lumbar spine, ligaments and joint capsules (passive stabilization) and the Central Nervous System, providing control.

Defining ‘motor control’ and ‘core stability’ from a scientific standpoint it’s not easy. Some researchers and experts define them referring to the active component to the stabilizing system, such as the short local stabilizing muscles that provide segmental control and stability, others include the semi-global muscles that play a stabilizing role anyway and further authors also consider the wider global muscles, that produce the body movement.

Motor control is probably best described as a process by which we use our Central Nervous System to activate and coordinate muscles involved in certain movements. It’s fundamentally the ability of the Central Nervous System to pre-determine the appropriate set of muscle forces and activation required to generate a planned action, consequently it’s a process that requires cooperative interaction between the Central Nervous System and the musculoskeletal system.

Different types of motor control and core stability exercises have been proposed with various targets. Our therapists integrate these motor control and core stability principles all the time during rehabilitation, with the goal of making sure our patients move with the required extent of control providing the required stability to avoid overuse and overstress injuries.