LIFESTYLE NEWS - Exercise is one of the ways to improve your physical wellbeing and it aids in great measure to get rid of ailments, aches and pains. Follow the exercise programme provided by the biokineticists at Anine van der Westhuizen Biokineticist in George and feel the difference. Biokineticist Megan van Huyssteen continues with the theme of the importance of core muscles, concentrating on children.
A quick recap - core muscles are the muscles that act to stabilise your spine and maintain posture - in broad terms, the muscles of your pelvis, hips, abdomen and lower back.
The muscles of the abdomen and back need to work together in order to stabilise the core. The more you move, the more stability you need from your core muscles to support you.
Your core muscles should allow you to carry out daily tasks with minimal effort and no strain on your body.
Why are your core muscles important?
Your core muscles help to support your body and allow a child to use his/her arms and legs strongly and effectively. Strong core muscles form the foundation for good posture, coordination and balance. All gross and fine motor skills rely on a stable core - that is why I encourage the kids to get out there, exercise and get fit.
How does poor core stability affect learning and later sports skills?
Children sitting at a desk need their core muscles to support them so that they are able to stay upright against gravity and use their eyes or hands effectively. Children with poor core stability will be using other ways of keeping themselves up against gravity. These are often ineffective and tiring, and as a result children will therefore either lose focus, or their fine motor output will be poor. On the sports field, children with poor core stability cannot use their arms and legs efficiently, or find other ways of compensating. They may experience poor coordination and fatigue as a result, making sports activities difficult and frustrating for them.
What are the signs of poor core strength?
- Poor posture such as rounded shoulders, pigeon-toed feet, and leaning on the insides of the feet;
- Heavy movements when running, jumping and hopping;
- Signs of trying to find stability when having to stand or sit still;
- Poor gross motor skills and clumsiness - may fall often;
- Difficulty climbing, and playing on unstable equipment such as bikes;
- Tire easily when walking for a longer period, and may ask to be picked up.
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