While there is always room for improvement, I like to think I am in relatively decent shape in terms of fitness. I have always been an active person, and I’ve been involved with sports since I was a wee yapper; fast-forward to the present, and I work out daily, run a few times a week, and play rugby.
My cardio is not the best it could be thanks to a little something commonly referred to as cigarettes, but I like to think it isn’t as bad as it could be. I started running a few months ago to improve my concussion recovery, but I plan to keep up with it regularly throughout the winter in hopes of alleviating the inevitable pain that will present itself at the start of next year’s rugby season.
The specialist I am still seeing for my concussion has recently discovered that despite my physical activity, and the muscle-strengthening exercises I do daily, I have a rather weak core. I was gobsmacked to learn this myself, although I did have some suspicions my core was not as strong as it could be.
I’ve always had pain in my lower back, and it started when I was roughly 10 years old. I was in gymnastics at the time, and no matter how hard I tried, or how much my coaches forced it, I could not successfully complete a back walkover. It was almost as though my back would reach a limit and say “Yeah, nope,” and after telling this to my concussion specialist, he told me my weak lower back is almost definitely a result of a weak core. Having a weak core can also contribute to pain in your hip flexors, which I have constantly, as well as issues with your neck, back and shoulders – ding, ding, ding.
It is very possible to be in great shape but have a weak core, and I wanted to share my experiences in hopes of preventing someone out there from facing the same predicament I am. Do your planks, people.
Photo by Jessica Streser on Unsplash
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