Physiotherapists, physicians, coaches and fitness trainers are all well aware of the importance of upper and lower ´core stability´ training to a player`s overall development, performance and injury prevention. A healthy back must be associated with good flexibility and strong upper and lower core platform for the extremities to move off of. The purpose of all ´core stability programs is to create a stable base of support. Tennis movements include sprinting, side-to-side running, cutting, twisting, sliding, and quick stops and starts. These quick movements that pass through many planes of motion and create rotational and torsional forces on numerous joints and muscles at the same time can lead to malalignment concerns if ´core stability´ is inadequate. Weaknesses and imbalances of the core have been related to low back pain and lower extremity injuries. By doing functional exercises using stability (Swiss) balls you help reconnect your upper and lower core muscles. This strengthens the myofascial sling systems as described by Vleeming. By reconnecting the core with simple exercises that either close or partially close the kinetic chain for both upper & lower extremities helps increase the 3-dimensional core stability and ensure optimal recruitment, timing, performance and injury prevention.
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