Core Strength and Hip Stability

As Head Coach of the Sunshine Coast Tri Academy / Hybrid Concepts Australia I deal with a lot of Athletes on a regular basis, predominately Junior athletes. The biggest problem I see is poor core and hip stability. Why is that?

One of the main reason is growth spurts especially with taller athletes that are yet to grow into their bodies and general tightness from growing to quick or not enough pre and post stretching and activations.

As for adult athletes it can be a number of factors from previous injuries from other sports, years of inactivity, occupation or just not been taught how to use the core and hip stabilisers.

Every week the SCTA athletes have the perfect environment at Intune Sports and Health where we have access to High Performance Facilities right here on the Sunshine Coast run by Brodie Gardner (An SCTA athlete and Pro Athlete himself). With the help of Brodie we have developed a program to help with strengthening the Core and Hip stabilisers, which in turn is making the athletes stronger and less prone to injuries.

Building a foundation for the future especially amongst junior athletes, is vital so we can over time increase the workload without injuries. At the recent Australian Junior Series race on the Gold Coast I saw junior athletes with moon boots, athletes on crutches. This shouldn't be happening to any junior athlete. The pressure of results over building a foundation. Always time for results but getting the skills, development and foundations right, is paramount and then the results will follow.

I know this all to well as I have had problems with a calf. Mostly it comes from standing on pool deck and sitting a chair while conducting my normal business as Head Coach at SCTA. After seeing Brodie we identified the problem and have been working on it for the past 6 months. For the first time in 4 years I have had no problem with my calf. The body is balancing itself out and the Gluets and hip stabilisers are working. See you can teach an old dog new tricks.

Make sure you add some core and hip stabilisers exercises into your weekly routine.