The Overlooked Best Friend of the ACL

I support what you are saying completely. But, I really hate to hear the word “core”. This is a flash term for a wide variety of opinions to form, regarding which muscle groups this entails. In my opinion the core consists of the gluteals, hamstrings, psoas, TrA/abdominals, multifidus.

Does everyone else have the same opinion? Or, what do you think of when you hear the term “core”?

Hunter,

I completely agree. We need to better define core when stressing its importance. Cora, what specific muscles do you think we need to address when working on “the core?”

Cora,

Great topic and you make some good points. I like the term functional stability versus core. Core unfortunately means so many things that it essentially means nothing. I hope you get the chance to read up on the virtual nonexistence of ACL tears in modern dancers which is pretty cool considering that they do more jumping than almost any other athlete. Look forward to hearing more from you in the future

Hunter,

Right on!!! You need not say anything more since you have included the psoas in your group of “core” muscles. If one fails to mention the psoas as part of the “core” I stop listening.

Has an agreement in my office about the definition of the anatomic meaning of core. In men it means the trunk. We think “trunk” sounds to masculine to get women on board with trunk rehab so we call it “core”. Trunk exercise for the dudes and core exercise for the girls, works for us!

I think the more imporant point is that the term core is used too loosely in the PT and medical community. If I were to tell a patient to do core exercises, they most likely will try and get a “6 pack.” We need to teach people which muscles they are working on, and why, and at least a brief explination of what the core consists of.

Great dialogue everyone, thanks for the contributions. I am in much agreement with all the comments. What makes up the core that helps provide “functional stability” is multifactorial. Muscles involved include the gluteals, iliacus, psoas, lats, multifidus, QL, lumbar paraspinals, obliques and rectus abdominis. (In non-athletes, the rectus is not serving a functional purpose.) Hunter mentioned the hamstrings. I would consider it a secondary mm for core stability, but you are making me think.

Why do we leave out the structures that provide dynamic stabilization to the head when we dicuss core? The head goes forward and it effects the trunk. Core?

Thanks for the feedback Bruce. The cervical and thoracic paraspinals should be included along with the pelvic floor and diaphragm. Thanks everyone for your discussion.

For weight bearing activities subtalar mechanics and alignment would also have be including in the core. Do you see where I am going?
It was never the core but the pt!