What’s the difference between Hypopressive Exercise and regular core work? PART 2 OF 3…
Hypopressive Exercises are done with an INvoluntary contraction of the abdominals where as regular core work is a voluntary contraction of the muscles.
Here we are looking at tone vs strength.
Muscle strength is a voluntary contraction of a muscle based on a command from the body and uses mostly type 2 muscle fibers. Basically when you are asking the muscle to ‘do something’.
Muscle tone is the muscle tension at rest and is mostly the type 1 muscle fibers responsibility. Basically, how active your muscles are when you are ‘doing nothing’.
With Hypopressives, the decrease in intra-abdominal pressure (refer to part 1) creates INVOLUNTARY activation of the TYPE 1 MUSCLE FIBERS in the pelvic floor and core. So whilst we are ‘doing something’ to our body in order to train those particular muscle fibers, it is an INvoluntary contracion!
The deep pelvic floor and core muscles (transversus abdominis) are made up of approximately 70% type 1 fibers (therefore a stabiliser).
The rectus abdominis is comprised mostly of type 2 fibers (therefore a mobiliser).
💡Basic core anatomy= the transverse abdominals are what really gives you a flat belly and tightened wasitline as these muscle fibers run horizontally. Hence why people get such good results from Hypopressives, in terms of getting their belly to be flattened. Hypopressives also reduce the outward pressure on the abdominal wall when training, which helps achieve flatness.
We need both strength and stability for good function. However, stability is harder to train and maintain as it requires more thoughtful planning to achieve.
Stay tuned for part 3….