Integrating the Hips and Back Into Core Training

Sports specificity means the integration of functional movements in a program that also challenges a players' balance, improves posture, and teaches proper core activation. Using body weight in conjunction with Swiss balls or elastic tubing can effectively mimic and challenge movement patterns used in sport. Exercises using these types of equipment can be modified in difficulty depending on the fitness level of the athlete. On-going adaptation and upgrading of a conditioning program is necessary so the athlete is significantly challenged, and can continue to achieve performance enhancements. The following exercises will effectively help target the hips and core. These movement patterns mimic many sports related movements and can help increase performance, while helping to prevent injury. As sport often involves cutting, decelerating, and explosive movements, it is imperative that your body's support structure has been properly prepared to handle the loads and strains necessary. Try these exercises and take a step towards one of the most important aspects in sport development.

DANA SQUAT Perform a single leg squat with one leg Keep the inside leg up and push that knee into the ball Keep weight through the opposite heel Keep hips and shoulders square Targets glute med's
DEAD LIFT AND TWIST Stand on one leg holding a medicine ball Keep shoulder blades down and together Pull core in and up Keep working leg slightly bent Keep back neutral Lean forwards towards the floor and rotate the shoulders and hips to the open side Targets the hamstrings, glutes, and core stabilizers
SINGLE LEG HAMSTRING CURL AND TWIST Lye on the ground with one foot on the ball and the opposite foot up in the air Pull the ball in towards the body Push the hips up so the shoulders, hips, and knees are in a straight line Twist across the body while keeping the hips up Targets the hamstrings, glutes, low back, thoracic and core stabilizers
1 LEG BOSU SQUAT Stand on a Bosu with the dome side down Perform a single leg squat Keep the non-working leg up at 90 degrees Keep hips and shoulders square Pull core in and up Work within a perfect range, where there is no collapsing of the knee Targets the quads, glutes, and core stabilizers
1 LEG CABLE ABDUCTION AND EXTERNAL ROTATION Attach a cable or tubing to an ankle Keep support leg bent Pull the leg away from the body and turn the foot away on extension Pull core in and up Targets the hip stabilizers both on the working and support leg simultaneously
GLUTE MED. WALK Attach tubing around the ankles Keep hips and shoulders square Take a medium sized step laterally with the front leg Resist and slowly let the back leg return to the starting position Targets the hips stabilizers
SWISS BALL BACK EXTENSION Keep feet up against a wall with hips on top of an anti-burst ball Keep a slight bend in the knees Pull the trunk up vertebrae by vertebrae up to a parallel position Pause at the top for a 2 count Targets spinal erectors