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What is Core Strength, and why is it important?
- Kelly Daniel (Hybrid Dog Training)
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
We've all heard this before right? Core strength is important. But did you ever wonder why?
As a Canine Fitness, and Canine Rehabilitation Therapist I often see dogs with core weakness. This is (surprisingly for some people!) common in Border Collies in sports, who are GREAT at using momentum to move instead of engaging the core muscles. Almost every dog I see has one area of weakness in the core, wether that be related to a specific orthopaedic issue, or perhaps just structure.
What is the Core?
The core is generally considered the musculature in the 'trunk'. This is the back, chest and abdomen. This is a complex mic of small, and large muscles arranged in different directions, and layers.
Dog's are quadrupedal, meaning that they use all four legs in locomotion. This means that whilst humans and canines have most of the bones and muscles in common, the size, length, and orientation of these biological features is different. In canines we need to consider the primary core (muscles in the abdomen and back), and also the secondary core that surrounds and attaches the limbs to the body.
The core muscles are often flat, large, and covering multiple joints. But there is a large number of muscles, and variation in the length, size and shape as well as function.
What is the core used for?
Primarily the function of the core is to stabilise the body, and support it against the force of gravity. This is why there are so many large muscles covering multiple joints.
But this is just the start of the many functions of the core. There are SO many things that the core is important for.
The core stabilises the body, preventing UNWANTED movements. For example when your dog walks, if their back moves side to side too much this produces inefficient movement.
The core contributes to life processes, like breathing. The intercostal muscles in the ribs assist the lungs in the movements that help with inspiration, and expiration moving air in, and out of the lungs.
The core stabilises the body in positions like a down, and a sit.
The core helps transfer the force and energy produced in the rear limbs, for movement forwards.
The secondary core stabilises the limbs as they are attached to the body, and also power the movements of these joints.
Can you see how relevant core strength is for these sports skills?
But what about the handler?
Having has a small human via C-section, and more recently my legs taken out in the agility ring and face planting, I can tell you that as a more 'mature' dog handler, it is becoming increasingly evident that core strength matters for life, and to be an equal partner in my sports teams. I work really hard on my dogs fitness, but over this year I've released that I also need to devote some time and energy to also working on my own core strength.
Here's some examples of where the core is ESSENTIAL for both the handler, and the canine:
I've also more recently realised that I have (like my spaniel Flori) hyper mobility* attributes. Therefore strength and muscle is even more important for me. * MORE COMING ABOUT HYPER MOBILITY LATER THIS YEAR!
So how do we work on core strength?
There is a huge number of exercises that will engage the muscles of the core. But what matters? Targeting the right area for the specific dog, AND including a range of types of core exercises:
Isometric strength. This is when the muscles produce force, but do not lengthen or shorten. This is holding specific positions, and holding them with strength for a period of time.
Stability. This is the ability of the dog to maintain the correct position after movement. This is ESSENTIAL for sports dogs.
Movement strength. Movement is power. Movement is essential for life, and also sports. Our dogs need to move, and move well in correct form.
Want more help with this?
If you would like an in person assessment (Morrinsville, Waikato, New Zealand), I have a ton of availability over December and January. Email hybriddogtraining@gmail.com
We also have an AWESOME class running over at Fenzi Dog Sports Academy that gives you lectures and feedback from the amazing Liz Joyce for the Canine Handlers, and me for the Canine participants. This class is a GREAT value for money being one of the only classes at FDSA that has TWO instructors.
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