Kenneth Gardner
We are now focused on the I.C.C Cricket World Cup and on the breathtaking performances of players at peak fitness levels. Technique is important in playing a stroke in cricket (as well as in other sports) but so too are strong muscles.
Developing trunk strength is the key to most athletic moves. Developing the trunk muscles will give you an advantage in your sport of choice and in your daily routine. The trunk acts as a base for all movements. These muscles perform very specific functions in human movement these muscles are often overlooked when exercising, trunk rotation is a primary movement in most sports and when executing other tasks. Training these core muscles will improve lumbar stability and increase your strength and power.
Therapists prescribe core stability exercises to patients suffering from a variety of injuries, especially those involving the back, groin, hamstrings and knee. Including resistance exercises in your routine is perhaps the best way to strengthen those core trunk muscles. Exercise and training methods that exploit the muscles' natural cycle of lengthening and shortening to increase power are very useful. Most of these exercises utilise weights as a form of resistance.
Core stability is important
Your body parts are connected to one another, therefore, moving one part of our body can affect another body part. Focusing on developing the core muscles to promote strength and good health is an ancient idea. Your trunk serves as the foundation of posture, balance and co-ordination.
Kenneth Gardner is an exercise physiologist at the G. C. Foster College of Physical Education: email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.Exercises to develop core trunk strength
1.Hip crunches
Sit with your back at a 45 degree angle to the floor.
Brace yourself with hands behind your hip.
Place ball between your knees.
Lift feet off the floor and pull knees towards chest.
2.Sitting toe touch
Sit on the floor with your legs extended in front and hold the ball in both hands over your head.
Keeping your arms straight, reach down with the ball and touch your toes.
Repeat movement.
3.Hip Roll
Lie on your back with knees at 90 degrees and hold ball by squeezing between your knees.
Rotate your hips from left to right allowing your knees to lightly touch the floor on each side.
