Monday, June 6, 2016

Tummy Time

I admit it has been a long time since I have spent time with babies, but last week a friend of mine said after working out, "I want to show you a video of my grandson".  There on her phone was this adorable 3-4 month old little boy rolling over.  Oh he was proud of himself!  His grandmother even made the comment that he was using his core.  Absolutely.  If I understand correctly one of the first things encouraged with new babies is "tummy time".  Tummy time gets a baby off the back and offers opportunity to strengthen the muscles in the shoulder, neck and trunk or core. From that position they learn to push themselves up and even kick their little chubby legs.  I would call this baby Pilates swimming. After mastering tummy time a baby starts rolling over, sitting, crawling, standing and walking. With each new progression  more muscles are called into action.  Each new skill is an exercise for a baby and with them the core gets stronger.  Matter of fact, whatever position you are in as you read this (probably not tummy time) the core muscles are in use.  Sitting? Yes unless you are slumped over a desk. Standing? Yes. Your  roll over might be in bed and your core is helping.

With that said, I have seen it go the other way as well.  Not with babies. Adults.  Core strength
is not something to be taken for granted.  It won't stay with you for the rest of your life because of will. Granted the core is active in the daily activity of walking, but if you want to keep it strong, it has to be challenged.  Pilates swimming is always a good choice.