Is core work truly helping your stability? 

By: Peter Stamos

What is stability training? Most people associate stability primarily with their core. Exercises like planks, crunches, and sit-ups are commonly seen as methods for training core stability. All three of these exercises are voluntary movements. However, when it comes to stability, there are three types: voluntary, reactionary, and anticipatory (reactionary and anticipatory are both reflexive). Unfortunately, most gym-goers focus solely on voluntary stability and often neglect the other two categories.

Today, we’ll concentrate on the part of the brain that controls reflexive stability: the brainstem. The brainstem consists of three sections: the midbrain, pons, and medulla. The pons and medulla form a structure known as the Ponto Medullary Reticular Formation (PMRF). This structure has several functions, including managing reflexive stability, inhibiting pain, controlling muscle tone, maintaining posture, and regulating autonomic functions. When the PMRF becomes dysfunctional, it can lead to a loss of reflexive stability on one side of the body.

How can you tell if this applies to you? Signs of a dysfunctional PMRF may include pain or injuries predominantly on one side of your body. In terms of posture, you might notice that the shoulder on that side appears lower and is rolled forward.

This is crucial because if you experience chronic pain or injuries on one side of your body, traditional rehabilitation methods may not be effective. A practical approach to rehabilitation is to begin training the opposite side of the body using complex, nonlinear, and novel motions. This strategy will directly stimulate the affected side of the brain, promoting pain inhibition, improving posture, and enhancing reflexive stability, which are the changes we aim to achieve. 

Please watch this video from Taylor Cruise Elite for more information.