Your gut, believe it or not, is our action center. The core is our driving force behind our posture, the way we feel and our organ function. We hear about our ‘core’ all the time but do we really know what all the fuss is about?
The core is your entire torso, including your internal organs. Many people think that the extremities perform most of the work and that the core is simply along for the ride. The truth of the matter is, is that our extremities rely on the core for stabilization, balance, posture and force production. Based on purpose, the core can be divided into two functional units - the inner and the outer unit. Though, these two systems always work together, it’s a good idea to divide them into functional groups to better understand this system.
The inner and outer unit
The inner unit consists of four major muscle groups. Small spinal muscles called the multifidus, our largest breathing muscles called the diaphragm, our pelvic floor and the Transversus abdominis (TVA) which is also known as the ‘ corset’. The inner unit muscles are unique because they function together like a well-tuned crew of rowers. Their primary job is to stiffen the spine, rib cage and pelvic girdle so that the head, arms and legs have a solid working foundation. Our inner unit can almost be called ‘the architect’ because once that fundamental infrastructure falls apart; the rest of our body may shift out of alignment. Arm and leg movements may be harder to do and you won’t feel stabilized.
The outer unit consists of those muscles that are best designed to move the body. These muscles are generally larger than those in the inner unit, usually cross multiple joints and are easily seen on the surface of the body. The outer unit core is also made up of four major muscle groups: The Rectus Abdominis ( the six pack muscles), Internal and external Obliques ( muscles along the side of the torso), the large muscle along your spine and the little spinal stabilizers. The outer unit muscles are like the engine in your car while the inner unit is the frame. When both units are combined, this system can be called the driving force to the strength and health of the rest of your body.
Core Functions
Protection of your central nervous system
The core provides a protective shield for your spinal cord and internal organs. The bony spinal column houses the spinal cord, while the rib cage and powerful outer abdominal muscles act as a shield to protect internal organs. Your abdominals, for this purpose, have that famous washboard look as armor from external blows.
Support for your internal organs
When the body moves and is exercised correctly, the internal organs are mobilized. This natural mobilization helps keep your organs from adhering together, improves fluid flow through the organs and is very helpful to maintaining normal bowel habits. When key core muscles stop functioning correctly, support for your internal organs is diminished.
Circulatory support
Behind the abdominal organs, along the spine, lies the largest artery in the body, the abdominal aorta, and the largest vein in the body, the inferior vena cava. When the body moves correctly and is properly exercised, pressure changes occur in the core that assists the heart and extremity muscles to circulate blood and lymphatic fluid throughout the body. If, for any reason the core stops functioning correctly, the heart not only has to work harder, but the fluids flowing through the core become stagnant. If your core function diminishes, the chances of fungal and parasite infections, constipation and disease increases, while your energy levels decrease.
I can’t stress enough: All exercises in the world don’t matter unless you properly utilize your core. Take care of your body’s foundation and the rest will follow.
