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Abstract
The core stability is defined as the ability of the lumbopelvic complex to control the position and motion of the trunk after perturbation, al-
lowing the transfer and the control of strength to the segments during activities. The stability is predominantly maintained by the dynamic
function of muscular groups, besides the contribution of the static elements, and it has been suggested that his decrease may contribute to
the lower members injuries’ etiology. The objective of this article is to review in literature the current findings of this theory in rehabilitation
and training and its principles. It follows that the core’s acquisition and maintenance stability is of great interest to physical biomechanics
and it must be incorporated in the rehabilitation and physical training programs.
Descriptors: Exercise; Abdominal muscles; Athletic injuries
Introduction of daily living, creating less strain on ligaments6. The central nervous
Core stability is still a vague concept that has been applied in phy- system (CNS) function is to determine the needs of stability and plan
sical training programs and in the field of orthopedic rehabilitation and implement strategies that can keep it5.
and sports medicine and has gained prominence among the phy- The postural disagreement that may pose risks to the maintenance
siotherapy professionals1. of stability may be initially bypassed the automatic neuromuscular
As an important component of almost all the gross motor func- due to the long latency period of reaction time volunteer. Two
tion, current evidence shows that the decrease in core stability examples of neuromuscular control are anticipatory postural ad-
predisposes to injury and that, therefore, a proper training is able to justments and reflex muscle response. The first occurs in response
reduce the occurrence of these, including those that initiate in low to shifts from extremity that, by changing the center of gravity, re-
back and lower limbs2. This update aimed to verify in the literature quire automatic correction with the trunk muscle contraction2. Al-
the main recent findings about the use of core stability in sports trai- ready a reflex response faster and stronger after external perturba-
ning and rehabilitation. tion restricts the movement of the trunk in safe limits, since the initial
spinal stability is insufficient to this7.
Review of literature Hodges5 (2003) explains the role of the CNS based on the me-
chanisms of feedforward and feedback. The first occurs when the
There is no single universally accepted concept of core stability. CNS predicts that the control column will be changed by forces in-
Stability is the ability to limit the movement and maintain the struc- side or outside and is able to devise strategies to prepare the
tural integrity2. The term core, according Akuthota e Nadler1 (2004), trunk.The other mechanism occurs when the disturbance is unex-
refers to the center of the functional kinetic chain, composed of mus- pected. Thus, the responsiveness is dependent not only muscles but
cle groups that stabilize the body (primarily the spine) during and also the sensory system that provides information of balance, re-
in the absence of limb movement, and also by the passive structu- cognizing the disorder and allows the CNS to respond to it, inte-
res of the dorsum and low back. Willson et al.2 (2005) state that, alt- racting the body with the environment5. Therefore, proprioceptive
hough exist the contribution of static structures, that is small, and deficits in core region contribute to the decrease of active neuro-
the core stability is predominantly maintained by the dynamism of muscular control of the lower limbs, which may facilitate or
the muscle elements. enhance the incorrect biomechanics of the joint and, consequen-
The basic principle of this theory is that the higher the hardness tly, produce lesions and muscle compensations8.
of the joint provided by muscle groups, the greater the stability of Bergmark9 (1989) suggest other mechanic model utility trunk
this. In a more operational definition, Zazulak et al.3-4 (2007) de- muscle division on local and global systems.
termined as the “body’s ability to maintain an equilibrium position The first included the muscles responsible by transfer of the for-
of the trunk after internal and external disturbances”. Hodges5 ces into thoracic column and pelvis, examples rectus abdominis and
(2003) states that the term is used to describe a range of exercises eretor of spine, and the second system is compound by muscles
with the common objective of improving the low back and pelvic which to act directly on vertebral, examples multifidus, maintaining
control for various reasons5. thus the column force9.
The stability of core is instantaneous, and the anatomy has to be The core’s muscles elements contribute with three mechanisms to
able to continuously adapt the position changes and load conditions stability: increased intra-abdominal pressure, spinal compressive
to maintain the integrity of the spine and provide a stable basis to forces by the axial length and strength of hip and trunk muscles1-2.
movements of extremities2. According to Kibler et al.2 (2006), this The contraction of the abdominal muscles is considered the main
is realize by musculoskeletal core portion, that includes the osseous responsible for the increase intra-abdominal pressure, but recent stu-
formation of the spine, hip and pelvis, and abdominal muscles, pro- dies suggest that this pressure can be increased by the simultaneous
ximal lower limbs, trunk and pelvis6. Muscles work in trunk stabi- contraction of the diaphragm and pelvic floor muscles, increasing
lity through co-contraction which, in turn, depends on the inputs the strength of the trunk and reducing the compressive load on the
and outputs generated by neural meccans and nociceptors7. Thus, spine during the endurance2. In the axial line, if the one hand the
these muscles are responsible for maintaining the stability of the compressive forces produced by muscle action helps stability, on the
spine and pelvis and help in the generation and transfer of energy other hand the excessive increase of the load contributes to the etio-
from large to small body parts during sports activities6. logy of low back pain. The same goes for muscular endurance, since
A third subsystem plus the muscles and passive structures is the its growth through the extension of time for co-contraction may in-
neural control unit, allowing the individual to maintain the inter- volve risks of lumbar pain by the metabolic inefficiency of these
vertebral neutral zones within physiological limits during activities muscles. Thus, a strategy to increase the firmness of the region
Discussion
responsible for the highest level of injury is internal rotation and ad-
duction of the knee to the femur, causing great tension in the liga-
ment. Thus, strength and resistance training of the abductor muscles
The design of the core region and its importance in the stability and external rotator of the hip should be included in programs to
of the column has provided a new approach to training and reha- prevent injury to the ACL, whereas the strength to move the knee
bilitation. Ekstrom et al.12 (2007) showed, by analyzing electro- valgus is sensitive to the level of firmness of the hip. In conditions
myographic, some exercises that can be used in core training pro- of fatigue, both the knee and the hip has a tendency to focus on in-
grams and which muscles are more specific to each activity12. They ternal rotation and adduction by inability to create enough torque
affirm, for example, that the bridge exercises and straight-sided, la- in the gluteus muscles, abdominals and hamstrings, giving the ap-
teral bridge, bridge prone on the elbows and feet, and the quadru- pearance of injuries6.
ped position with the contralateral arm and leg extended should be In patients with chronic low back pain, according to the biome-
part of a training stabilization of the trunk and hip. chanical model, one of the causes of this problem is the repeated
Marshall and Murphy13 (2005) also searched exercises for training mechanical irritation of pain sensitive structures. Thus, improved
the core region and found increased activity of the rectus abdomi- control and stability in the region would reduce this irritation and
nal, transversus abdominis and internal oblique during activities hence the pain. Studies also show that the activity of the rectus ab-
with the swiss ball compared to activities on a stable surface. dominal and abdominal inferolateral portion are altered in these pa-
In all these situations, the focus of exercise is varied and should tients. Moreover, there is a reduced range of activity of the multifi-
include strength and endurance training and, above all, have the ob- dus and evidence of delay in contraction of transversus abdominis
jective to refine coordination and stabilize the spine and pelvis in association with the rapid movement of limbs5.
through the synergism muscular5,14. In a study conducted by Navalta and Hrncir18 (2007) the goal was
Thus, this type of training can act in preventing injury, and alt- to assess the performance of the core exercises in the clearance of lac-
hough not all be due to instability in that region, there is consen- tate after intense anaerobic physical activity (Wingate bike test) com-
sus that the core muscles influence from the spine to the ankle. Stu- pared with a group that remained at rest after the same activity. The
dies show, for example, that the weakness of the extensor muscles results showed that the core exercises were effective in reducing blood
of the spine is considered a major cause of pain lombar6. Barr et al.15 lactate levels and, for the group home, has the additional improve
(2007) showed that subjects with pain in this region are associated postural control and is therefore indicated in this recovery period.
with deficits in spinal proprioception, balance and ability to respond Willson et al.2 (2005) and Hodges5 (2003) approach the discus-
to disturbances, predisposing to uncoordinated movements of the sion if the injuries of the lower extremities would be a cause or a
trunk during sports activities. consequence of lack of stability of core muscle2,5. Some authors16,18
The performance of the transversus abdominis muscle in response argue on the basis of prevalence of postural muscle fibers in the
to movement of the upper limbs has been widely studied in healthy trunk, which are most affected by atrophy, and that, therefore, the
individuals and with low back pain, and by linking the delay or ab- lesions of the segments would lead to a deficit in stability. Howe-
sence of a feedforward mechanism of this muscle during activity and ver, other researchers9,12 report that the deficit in the core muscu-
showing the dysfunction of the control motor in these individuals11. lature increases the incidence of lesions in the lower extremities. The
The research results of Garry et al.11 (2008), using electromyography consensus pointed to by Willson et al.2 (2005) is that the training of
to assess anticipatory response of the transversus abdominis muscle these muscles should be part of rehabilitation programs and injury
of the disruption to raise the upper limbs, showed that, contrary to po- prevention in the lower extremities2. Additionally, this training can
pular belief, the feedforward response of this muscle is asymmetric improve the athletic performance12.
and that the activation is dependent on the direction of perturbation. However, Standaert and Herring19 (2007) approach the discussion
Allison and Morris16 (2008) corroborate this afirmation. of the controversies in the use of core exercise programs in the lum-
However, with respect to the test of unilateral lifting of the lower bar back pain. Reports that there are a limited number of large and
limb (SLR test – straight leg raise test), Teyhen et al.17 (2009) mea- control studies of this topic compared to other therapeutic techniques,
Conclusion
12. Ekstrom RA, Donatelli RA, Carp KC. Electromyographic analysis of core trunk,
hip, and thigh muscles during 9 rehabilitation exercises. J Orthop Sports Phys
The stability of the body must be understood and assessed in the Ther. 2007;37(12):754-62.
muscle synergistic and therefore both the strengthening of the trunk 13. Marshall PW, Murphy BA. Core stability exercises on and off a Swiss ball.
Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2005;86:242-9.
and members should be part of the training programs and rehabili-
tation. To this end, the exercises focus on core stabilization needs 14. Carson RG. Changes in muscle coordination with training. J Appl Physiol.
2006;101:1506-13.
further discussion and properly controlled studies regarding their in-
fluence on strength and endurance during athletic performance 15. Barr KP, Griggs M, Cadby T. Lumbar stabilization: a review of core concepts
and current literature, part 2. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2007;86(6):72-80.
and injury prevention.
16. Allison GT, Morris SL. Transversus abdominis and core stability: has the pen-
References
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Suppl 1):86-92. straight leg raise test. Arch Pys Med Rehabil. 2009;90(5):761-7.
2. Willson JD, Dougherty CP, Ireland ML, Davis IM . Core stability and its rela- 18. Navalta JW, Hrncir SP. Core stabilization exercises enhance lactate clearance
tionship to lower extremity function and injury. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2005; following high-intensity exercise. J Strenght Cond Res. 2007;21(4):1305-9.
13(5):316-25. 19. Standaert CJ, Herring AS. Expert opinion and controversies in musculoskele-
3. Zazulak BT, Hewett TE, Reeves NP, Goldberg B, Cholewicki J. The effects of tal and sports medicine: core stabilization as a treatment for low back pain. Arch
core proprioception on knee injury. Am J Sports Med. 2007;35(3):368-73. Phys Med Rehabil. 2007;88:1734-6.
4. Zazulak BT, Hewett TE, Reeves NP, Goldberg B, Cholewicki J. Deficits in neu- 20. Kavcic N, Grenier S, Mcgill SM. Determining the stabilizing role of individual
romuscular control of the trunk predict knee injury risk. Am J Sports Med. 2007; torso muscles during rehabilitation exercises. Spine. 2004;29(11):1254-65.
35(7):1123-30.
5. Hodges PW. Core stability exercise in chronic low back pain. Orthop Clin N Corresponding author:
Am. 2003;34:245-54.
Larissa Neves Pavin
6. Kibler WB, Press J, Sciascia A. The role of core stability in athletic function. R. Luis Nunes Ferreira, 50 – Bairro Mançour Daud
Sports Med. 2006;36(3):189-98. São José dos Rio Preto-SP, CEP 15070-580
7. Liemohn WP, Baumgartner TA, Gagnon LH. Measuring core stability. J Strength Brazil
Cond Res. 2005;19(3):583-6.
E-mail: larissa_pavin@hotmail.com
8. Leetun DT, Ireland ML, Willson JD, Ballantyne BT, DAVIS IM. Core stability
measures as risk factors for lower extremity injury in athletes. Med Sci Sports Received October 14, 2009
Exerc. 2004;36(6):926-34. Accepted December 7, 2009
J Health Sci Inst. 2010;28(1):53-5 55 Core stability in the training and in the rehabilitation
Fisioterapia / Physiotherapy
Resumo
A estabilidade de core é definida como a habilidade do complexo lombo pélvico em controlar a posição e o movimento do tronco após
perturbação, permitindo a transferência e o controle de força para os segmentos durante as atividades. A estabilidade é predominantemente
mantida pela função dinâmica dos grupos musculares, além da contribuição dos elementos estáticos, e tem sido sugerido que seu decrés-
cimo pode contribuir para a etiologia das lesões dos membros inferiores. O objetivo deste artigo é rever na literatura os achados atuais desta
teoria na reabilitação e no treinamento e seus princípios. Conclui-se que a aquisição e manutenção da estabilidade de core é de especial
interesse para a biomecânica corporal e deve ser incorporada nos programas de reabilitação e treinamento físico.
Descritores: Exercício; Músculos abdominais; Traumatismos em atletas
Abstract
The core stability is defined as the ability of the lumbopelvic complex to control the position and motion of the trunk after perturbation, al-
lowing the transfer and the control of strength to the segments during activities. The stability is predominantly maintained by the dynamic
function of muscular groups, besides the contribution of the static elements, and it has been suggested that his decrease may contribute to
the lower members injuries’ etiology. The objective of this article is to review in literature the current findings of this theory in rehabilitation
and training and its principles. It follows that the core’s acquisition and maintenance stability is of great interest to physical biomechanics
and it must be incorporated in the rehabilitation and physical training programs.
Descriptors: Exercise; Abdominal muscles; Athletic injuries
Conclusão
Recebido em 14 de outubro de 2009
Aceito em 7 dezembro de 2009