BALANCING ACT

When it comes to your core, you need both strength and stability

CORE STRENGTH AND CORE STABILITY are terms that are often used interchangeably. But they’re different – and runners need both to run well and avoid injury. Core strength can be defined as the maximal amount of force a muscle can generate in a specified movement pattern. Core stability is the ability to withstand unwanted movement. ‘The muscles of the inner core provide stability,’ says Robert Griffiths, chiropractor and rehab specialist (properformanceclinics.com). ‘The big muscles on the outside provide strength. Most runners do some strength work but not a lot of stability work.’ One simple exercise to improve core stability is a variation on the plank, says Griffiths. Get into a press-up position, feet shoulder-width apart, and slowly try to touch your left shoulder with your right hand. Return to the starting position and repeat, this time touching your right shoulder with your left hand.