ABSTRACT
In recent years, increased emphasis has been placed on training the ‘core’ musculature in both personal fitness and sports conditioning programmes. 1 The general public often associates effective core muscle training with well-defined abdominals and small waistlines. In sport, though, the emphasis should undoubtedly be placed on training for function rather than aesthetics. Therefore, testing and training practices should reflect the total capacity and function of the core muscles, rather than performing tests or exercises such as the sit-up, which often has little application to daily activities and sports performance.
