Core Strength Training for Soccer

I have recently been researching an area of fitness training that seems increasingly popular among top sports trainers and fitness 'gurus'. This is commonly known as Core Strength Training and it seems to be a vital method that is commonly overlooked by most sports coaches and players.

 But what is Core Strength? And how does it apply to football?
Core Strength Training is a method of developing core stability and core power. These are two elements that when trained effectively, will lead to a number of physical benefits that can help a wide variety of activities and sports, particularly soccer! Every initial movement starts from the core; it provides the rest of the body with stability. Without a stable platform to work upon, how can you expect the rest of the muscles in your body to function in a controlled and effective way?!
Just like any type of training, you need to begin with a program that will be right for you, in order for you to get the best out of it. There is no point doing a few sit ups everyday and hoping for the best, I'm afraid this will NOT work. Many muscle groups make up your core and it is essential that each of these is trained in the correct way, in order for you to benefit in any way.
 
Muscle Groups
Many people think that the core is only made up of the stomach muscles, but in fact the core consists of the lumbar, pelvic and hip regions, each comprising of many different muscles. A few of these muscles include:
Hip Muscles
Ø Gluteus maximus
Ø Psoas
Ø Iliacus
 
Abdominal Muscles
Ø Obliques
Ø Rectus Abdominus
Ø Transverse Abdominals
Lumbar Spine Muscles
Ø Transversospinalis Group
Ø Latissimus Dorsi
Ø Quadratus lumborum
 
Now, I guess you probably haven't heard of most of these muscles, right? Well maybe you have but either way it's not significant because all that matters is that you understand the importance of what these muscles do and how to train them properly!!
 
What are the physical Benefits?
Ø Reduced risk of Injury - a well trained core can help prevent many common injuries
Ø Effective Energy Distribution - More power can generated from other muscle groups with a stable core
Ø Improved Running Performance - speed and efficiency can result from good core stability
Ø Better Posture - Stronger core muscles will help to maintain good posture and prevent back pain
Ø Improved Balance - Good core stability will help you to stay on your feet throughout your football game!
 
I've told you the benefits, now its time for you to do something about it! As I said before it is vital that, in order for you to effectively train your core, you find a program that will work for you and stick to it! You can go away now and search for core strength training programmes and you will probably find hundreds but I'll bet that most of them are a complete waste of time, based on outdated methods and theories. You maybe lucky and find one that works for you but you will have to invest a great deal of time finding one - I did!
Personally I would recommend Combat Core - Advanced Core Training, this is a new and exciting package that has been specifically designed to train core strength using the most effective methods. I'll warn you this package doesn't come for free but I guarantee the small fee they ask for is worth every penny! Stick with the methods and techniques they suggest and you will soon see the results on the football pitch!
 Start Your Core Strength Training Today!

 
Good Luck!
Dean
www.fullfootball.co.uk