Tag Archives: core stability
Improving Running Economy
Running 
is a very popular and effective method to increase endurance and improve health. An increasing number of people participate in large running events such as a Marathon, Half-Marathon or other distances. Aside from oxygen uptake (VO2max) running economy is one of the most important variables that influences how well you perform at running events. This article will tell you why and how you should be improving your running economy.
Bosu Core Training
This Bosu Core training is a more advanced and intensive workout for the core muscles. Because the Bosu Ball provides an instable surface, these exercises activate more muscles than the same exercise performed without a Bosu Ball and can therefore be more effective than their counterparts without the Bosu Ball. The muscles primarily targeted by these exercises are the m. rectus abdominis, m. obliquus externus abdominis, m. obliquus internus abdominis, m. transversus abdominis, m. erector spinae and the mm. multifidi. Because many muscles are active during these exercises, the muscles of the lower back might be felt during abdominal exercises. As long as this does not hurt, it poses no problem and is an indication that the muscles are trained. As soon as the exercise hurts the lower back, it should be stopped.
BOSU vs T-Bow vs Stable Surface Training
Training on unstable surfaces 
has gained much popularity in recent years. Performing exercises on a Swiss Ball, BOSU Balance Trainer or T-Bow is said to increase muscle activity in stabilizing muscle groups. Therefore it should be more effective than the same exercises performed in stable situations in increasing muscle strength. Scientists from the University of Valencia, Spain set out to test this theory and compare the effects of training on different unstable surfaces with exercises performed on stable surfaces. So which is more effective? Training using a BOSU vs T-Bow vs training on a stable surface?
Core stability training on unstable devices
In many fitness centers people perform core stability training to strengthen the so-called ‘core’ on unstable surfaces. Well known examples of these are the Bosu Balance Trainer, Bosu Ball (Both Sides Up) and the Swiss Ball. The core is usually defined as the region of the body which is made up by the abdominal wall, pelvic floor, the lower back and the diafragm. This region plays an important role in stabilizing the spine during movements and is therefore crucial in sports performance. In addition, a large percentage of low back pain cases are caused by badly functioning core muscles. The idea behind training on an instable surface is that more muscles are active to stabilize the body during any given movement compared with performing the same movement on a stable surface. This would result in improving intermuscular coordination and therfore reduce complaints caused by weak or badly cooperating muscles. Moreover it could result in better training results and in many sport activities improve performance. This article aims to review the scientific evidence for core stability training on unstable surfaces as a means to treat low back pain and as functional training to enhance sports performance.
What is suspension training and what does it do?
What is suspension training and what does it do?
TRX suspension training is a new form of training which employs a device consisting of a band with two handles. Because the TRX suspension trainer hangs from a supporting beam or branch, many different exercises can be performed which use the body’s own weight (or a part of it) for resistance.
Contrary to many regular fitness machines which limit the freedom of movement, performing similar exercises on the TRX trainer requires a better technique and more stabilisation of the body to perform the exercises correctly. Therefore more muscle fibers are activated to stabilise the body during the movement and they are activated to a greater extent.
The Core (center of the body, which includes the abdominal and lower back muscles) is effectively trained, which will increase total body strength because muscles can work together more efficiently. Additionally, energy consumption after training will increase as a result of the large number of muscles that are trained using the TRX.
TRX suspension training is an effective means to increase strength, exercise the Core muscles, to improve muscle coordination and stimulate the metabolism with the aid of a short high intensity workout.
See also:
-Resistance training: Free weights or machines?