engaging the core

English translation: Tighten one’s abdominal muscles

07:30 Mar 14, 2021
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Medical - Other
English term or phrase: engaging the core
Really sweeping those arms up, warming up those shoulders, engaging the glutes, engaging the core… standing up tall… biceps to the ears, reach a little further.

This is a Yoga exercise. What does "engaging the core" actually mean? Thanks.
Rajan Chopra
India
Local time: 17:51
Selected answer:Tighten one’s abdominal muscles
Explanation:
Tensing your belly muscles is another way of putting it.
Selected response from:

Joanna Carroll
United Kingdom
Local time: 12:21
Grading comment
Thanks a lot
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
5 +2Tighten one’s abdominal muscles
Joanna Carroll
4 +2bracing all 4 sections of ab muscles together to work with spine muscles...ur core muscles into play
Yvonne Gallagher
3 -1به کار گماشتن مغز
mahin molaeei
Summary of reference entries provided
This might help
Brent Sørensen
Core (human anatomy)
Daryo

  

Answers


8 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +2
Tighten one’s abdominal muscles


Explanation:
Tensing your belly muscles is another way of putting it.


    https://www.livritefitness.com/blog/engage-your-core-what-does-that-even-mean
Joanna Carroll
United Kingdom
Local time: 12:21
Native speaker of: Polish
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Thanks a lot

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Petrus Maritz: it is a bit more than that
35 mins

agree  philgoddard: http://www.livritefitness.com/blog/engage-your-core-what-doe...
7 hrs

agree  Oliver Simões
8 hrs

agree  Liliana Cabirta
2 days 10 hrs

disagree  Yvonne Gallagher: this is just not enough
7 days
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4 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): -1
به کار گماشتن مغز


Explanation:



mahin molaeei
Iran
Local time: 15:51
Native speaker of: Native in Persian (Farsi)Persian (Farsi)

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
disagree  Yvonne Gallagher: English monolingual.
17 mins
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4 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
bracing all 4 sections of ab muscles together to work with spine muscles...ur core muscles into play


Explanation:
https://origympersonaltrainercourses.co.uk/blog/engage-your-...

The core refers to all of the muscles which wrap around the torso and support both the pelvis and the spine, such as:

Glute muscles
Adductor muscles
Lower back muscles
Abdominal muscles and hip flexors (including the pelvic floor)
Spinal erectors
Diaphragm

Within this group of muscles, the abdominal muscles (including the rectus abdominis) are particularly important in understanding how to engage your core. The abdomen is made up of 4 sections of muscle: the transverse abdominis (TVA), the internal and external obliques and the rectus abdominis.

The TVA is the deepest section. It wraps around the waist, and acts as a stabiliser for the lower back and the core muscles, connecting the ribcage to the pelvis. On top of the TVA are the internal and external obliques. The internal and external obliques are shaped in a criss-cross across the torso and help with twisting movements. The rectus abdominis, otherwise known as the six-pack, is the anterior section of abdominal muscles which helps the upper body to bend forward...
So, what does it mean to engage your core?
Your core is engaged when all 4 sections of abdominal muscle are braced together and working with the muscles that are connected to your spine to stabilise the torso. When you know how to engage your core correctly, you will be able to stiffen your torso to support your spine whilst it bends and twists.

How to engage your core
The simplest way to engage your core is to brace yourself as if you’re expecting a strong punch to the torso, and then breathe into your stomach. Your core engages naturally right before you laugh or cough, so if you initiate one of these actions, you’ll get an idea of how it should feel when your core is engaged.

Sucking in your stomach and holding your breath are the most common mistakes people make when told to engage their core. Truthfully, this is pretty much the exact opposite of how to engage your core correctly.

Rather than sucking your stomach in, you need to focus on pulling your navel up and in towards your spine. When you do this, your abs should feel tightened but you should still be able to move and breath as normal.

A good position for engaging your core is on all fours. In this position, pull your abs up and in towards your spine and keep your torso still whilst you exhale.

Focusing on your breathing is a really important part of how to engage your core correctly. You can’t engage your core whilst holding your breath, so it’s important to keep breathing normally whilst holding your abs. The TVA engages naturally as you exhale, so you can use your breath to engage your core every time you exhale. If you pull your navel up and in during the exhale, the movement should naturally pull your stomach in and lift your torso.

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Note added at 5 hrs (2021-03-14 12:32:51 GMT)
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oops, sorry meant to delete the last bit in headline as
the rest is quoted below

Yvonne Gallagher
Ireland
Local time: 12:21
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 129

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Petrus Maritz: mostly deep muscular support and stance
3 hrs
  -> Many thanks:-)

agree  Lisa Jane
18 hrs
  -> Many thanks:-)
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Reference comments


7 mins
Reference: This might help

Reference information:
https://www.verywellfit.com/how-to-engage-your-core-the-righ...

Brent Sørensen
Germany
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
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12 hrs peer agreement (net): +1
Reference: Core (human anatomy)

Reference information:
Core (anatomy)

In common parlance, the core of the body is broadly considered to be the torso. Functional movements are highly dependent on this part of the body, and lack of core muscular development can result in a predisposition to injury.

The major muscles of the core reside in the area of the belly and the mid and lower back (not the shoulders), and peripherally include the hips, the shoulders and the neck.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Core_(anatomy)

Daryo
United Kingdom
Native speaker of: Native in SerbianSerbian, Native in FrenchFrench
PRO pts in category: 28

Peer comments on this reference comment (and responses from the reference poster)
agree  Petrus Maritz: yes, more than just the abdomen
11 hrs
  -> Extrapolating the meaning from "what makes sense in this sentence" is not a bad method, but not the most reliable one. It's always better to also check elsewhere. Thanks!
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