Core stability training is essential to sports performance and injury prevention. The body's core muscles are the foundation for all other movement. The muscles of the inner core help stabilise the spine and provide a solid foundation for movement in the extremities.

These core muscles lie deep within the torso. They generally attach to the spine, pelvis and assist the muscles that support the scapula. When these muscles contract, we stabilise the spine, pelvis and shoulders and create a solid base of support. Once this has been achieved we are then able to generate powerful movements of the extremities.

Training the muscles of the core also corrects postural imbalances that can lead to injuries. The most significant benefit of core training is that it helps to develop functional fitness, which can be tailored to the specificity of the athlete.

The main concepts of core strengthening programs involve using many muscles in a coordinated movement. Rather than isolating a specific joint as in most weight lifting, stability exercises focus on working the deep muscles of the entire torso at once.

The pictures illustrate examples of how core-training principles can be incorporated into a very simple circuit programme.