The Physics of Core strengthening
What are Ground Reaction Forces?
By Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo
There are innumerable ways to strengthen the core, however how many routines take advantage of physics for core strengthening? Most routines such as sit ups, crunches, and leg raises employ resistance against the pull of gravity. With the use of kettlebells or dumbbells, gravity once again is the main force that one works against to strengthening the core. TRX straps and ab rollers allow for greater range of motion, however once again, gravity is the only force that one contends with.
So how can we add more physics to our workouts? What movements can incorporate more stress to more muscles simultaneously? What if there was a way to employ gravity, maximize ground reaction forces and also have limitless rotation to work as many of the muscles of the core at the same time?
First, I’ll define grounds reaction forces. Newton’s third law states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. For example, the harder one might push into a wall, the wall will then apply the same force back into the enforcers body. Now, if the push is being applied to the ground, the force gets transmitted to the body. The more force that the body feels, the more of an effect it has on the muscles. The more activated the muscles are, the stronger they become.
360 CoreBoard efficiently employs the concept of ground reaction forces to maximize muscle, specifically core strengthening, while moving through an unlimited range of motion. The friction free wheels lead to the core as being the main source of force to stop the wheels from moving in whatever direction the user is moving. The cessation of movement of the wheels employs Newton’s first law (a body in motion remains in motion unless acted upon by an outside force). Your core is that outside force that stops the wheel from moving. Newton’s second law is force = mass x acceleration. If you simultaneously push as hard as possible into the ground throughout these movements, then you’ll be utilizing both Newton’s first, second and third laws to the max. You’ll also be performing these movements over a wide surface area, once again using 360 CoreBoard to employ physics into your workout in the most efficient way possible.
The extreme unlimited range of motion through a wide surface area, utilizing rotation, while taking advantage of ground reaction forces, engages so many muscles and joints simultaneously that invariably the cardiovascular system is also involved throughout these routines. Never has such efficiency been devised into a core routine until the advent of 360 CoreBoard. Furthermore, inline resistance can be incorporated with resistance bands, axial resistance can be added by wearing a weight pack to your back. The static base adds yet another dimension to perform push ups with no rolling motion. The possibilities are endless….
So add physics to your core routine. Get 360 CoreBoard and move!!!