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This document discusses the anterior core and its importance. It defines the anterior core as including more than just the abs and discusses its functional anatomy. The anterior core helps resist extension and rotation, return the body from extension or rotation, impacts breathing and upper and lower extremity function. Weaknesses in the anterior core can contribute to injuries like sports hernias and hip labral tears. The anterior core can be challenging to understand because no two spines are alike. A variety of progressions are provided for strengthening the anterior core including positional breathing exercises, planks, bridges, and exercises using equipment like stability balls, TRX, and slideboards.

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Aaron Mclatcher
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668 views13 pages

Handouts

This document discusses the anterior core and its importance. It defines the anterior core as including more than just the abs and discusses its functional anatomy. The anterior core helps resist extension and rotation, return the body from extension or rotation, impacts breathing and upper and lower extremity function. Weaknesses in the anterior core can contribute to injuries like sports hernias and hip labral tears. The anterior core can be challenging to understand because no two spines are alike. A variety of progressions are provided for strengthening the anterior core including positional breathing exercises, planks, bridges, and exercises using equipment like stability balls, TRX, and slideboards.

Uploaded by

Aaron Mclatcher
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Understanding and Coaching the Anterior Core

Eric Cressey, MA, CSCS Founder/President Cressey Performance www.CresseyPerformance.com www.EricCressey.com

What is it?
Functional anatomy Not just your abs

Why Does It Matter?


Resists extension Resists rotation Returns one from a position of extension or rotation Impacts breathing Impacts upper and lower extremity function

Implications for Modern Injuries


Sports hernias Femoroacetabular impingement Hip labral tears Spondylolisthesis/Spondylolysis Thoracic Outlet Syndrome SLAP lesions Lat strains

Why can it be challenging to understand?


Not all spines are the same Some live in flexion Some live extension These deviations from normalcy dictate how that we have to coach the same exercises differently based on the individual. Example: anterior core activation/posterior pelvic tilt during flexion/internal rotation in those with anterior hip irritation

Anterior Core Progressions


Supine Positional Breathing Variations Dead Bugs w/Exhalation Back to Wall Shoulder Flexion Birddogs Prone Bridges Prone Bridge Arm March 1-leg Prone Bridge Prone Plate Switches

Anterior Core Progressions


Stability Ball Rollouts TRX Flutters TRX Fallouts Inchworms Seal Walks Ab Wheel Rollouts Slideboard Bodysaw

Anterior Core Progressions


Ground-to-Standing Transitions
Turkish Get-ups Kneeling Overhead Hold to Stand

Rip Trainer Overhead Lift Landmine Presses Overhead Presses Overhead Carries

External Obliques
Consider points of attachment as compared to rectus abdominus Posteriorly tilts pelvis w/out increasing kyphosis

Reverse Crunch
Progressions/Regression s Subtract/Add Load Heel Taps Reverse Crunch to Dead Bug

What About Tight Hip Flexors, Lats, etc.?


Stretching these areas provides a transient reduction in stiffness. Creating stability at adjacent joints is our goal. Weingroff: Get long, get strong, train hard. Daily postural modifications are key.

Making Anterior Core a Priority


Use warm-ups for positional breathing, dead bugs, back-to-wall shoulder flexion, inchworm, etc. Days 1 and 3 (lower body): rollout/fallout variations, overhead carries Days 2 and 4 (upper body): landmine or overhead press, rotary stability variation, then low-level motor control (e.g. prone bridge, reverse crunch)

Thank You!

[email protected] EricCressey.com

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