Building stability and core strength is a key objective for almost every Track and Field athlete.

• Core strength is essential for maintaining balance and stability while running, jumping, and throwing.

• A strong core helps transfer power from the athlete’s lower body to the upper body efficiently. This is particularly vital in events such as javelin, sprinting, and the jumps.

• Core strength supports good posture, which is a crucial component of the technical model of all track and field events.

• Weaker core muscles may lead to athletes performing compensatory movements, placing unwanted stress on other body parts and greater risk of injury. A strong core is therefore a component of an effective injury prevention program.

Both traditional and modified plank exercises have been shown to effectively enhance core muscle endurance, strength, and dynamic stability (Olson, 2013; Selvakumar et al., 2021). Watch the video below by Shea Pierre for a great plank circuit that you can use to build core strength and endurance with your athletes.