The Core Muscles of the Body
As the body ages so does our posture due to weakened core muscles. It is not uncommon to see people walking along with a stooped, forward leaning posture. This sight is normally associated with older people, as the body ages and with ever increasing sedentary lifestyles people are less active than they once were. People now drive almost everywhere!
Why does the human body slump forwards?
Many people through their lifetime do not fully extend their neck to the full range. By not extending and stretching, this can cause muscles to shorten. Many hours are spent slumped over a computer or driving in a car. Even working habits have changed, with less focus on manual activities and more focus on standing over a workbench, or working on a repetitive production line. Calcium salts can form within the spaces between joints, this can lead to the process of immobilization or immobility.
It is possible to take action before the process gets too bad. A solid exercise programme, alongside regular stretching and activity. By increasing muscle flexibility helps to keep them remaining supple and supporting the general frame of the body.
The core muscles are located in the obliques, abdominals and in the lower back. The largest of the core muscles are found in the glutes, or sometimes referred to as the butt! These key areas are split into four and usually help to frame the posture of the body. A good posture is a sign that these four muscle groups are in a good and healthy condition.
It is also interesting know that these four key muscles for the primary muscles for all strength activities that are carried out by the human body. If someone has a strong core, they will probably be strong all over. They can also assist in keeping the body stabilized during various activity or work outs.
Strong Core Muscles
As discussed, one of the key roles of the core muscles is to provide power to the body to allow it to complete dynamic challenges and various physical activity that someone may encounter.
Health and fitness professionals advise that it is of importance to strengthen the core before focusing on other areas. For example, an Olympic shot putter needs a strong arm, but also substantial strength in their core to build the kinetic energy to propel the shot when thrown.
This can be applied to an office worker that sits for many hours on chair. By having a strong core and good posture, they are able to sit in the correct manner with the back straight. By setting good sitting habits from the beginning allow prevention of injury further down the line. By having a strong core helps to stabilize the back muscles throughout the day.
Strong core muscles not only support the back and the lower torso, they are essential in keeping the whole of the upper body supported and stops it from slumping over. This is why having the four key areas of the core in the best shape can transfer the benefits onto the rest of the body.
Five Key Core Muscle Benefits:
(1) Strong core muscles help to improve the posture and aid in the prevention of lower back pain
If you incorporate stretching exercises into your daily routine, by focussing on keeping the core muscles healthy can help to keep your back supple. Focus on the four key core muscles at the front and upper part of the trunk, also focus on the abdominal and glute muscles to help strengthen the back.
(2) Toned muscles can help prevent back injury
By having toned and supple muscles can help to prevent injury. Muscles that aren’t stretched or trained can fatigue over time. As with an old rubber band they can eventually stretch and come out of shape. This can lead the stooped posture.
(3) Stronger physical performance
The best methods to stretch the core muscles include slow and static stretching. This can involve yoga or pillates, as they are a controlled and relaxed way to stretch your core. As ability to stretch increases, so do the benefits, as you can get a much deeper and controlled stretch that leads to increased blood flow within the stretched muscle.
(4) Muscle recovery
By having a strong and flexible core can help to reduce sore muscles and muscle fatigue. Slow and controlled stretching does not lead to soreness as much as bouncing type exercises that can be jerky or rely on quicker muscle contraction.
(5) Stretched muscles maintains mobility
A fitness routine to lengthen and stretch muscles can lead to avoidance of an unbalanced footing as the body ages. By stretching the core this helps to lengthen the entire posterior chain. By maintaining good mobility can lead to a longer and more fulfilling life.
Combining stretching exercises with cardiovascular exercise for good heart health and a good quality diet full of essential vitamins and minerals can help to keep your body in the best shape.
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