Rationale Behind Utilization of the Front Body Bridge:

The Front Body Bridge, also known as a plank, is an excellent exercise for developing the stabilization muscles of the core. It requires the athlete to learn how to activate not only their core, but also their glutes in an attempt to maintain a straight line from their hips to their shoulders. It is common for athletes to not activate one or the other or even both when first learning this exercise. This causes the lower back to arch or round or for the athlete to have elevated hips especially as they become fatigued. These errors show the athlete must better understand how to activate their core and glutes to alleviate these problems. For the Front Body Bridge, the athlete will start with ten second holds and then progress to a minute or greater once core strength improves. As ability improves, the athlete is further challenged with doing the Front Body Bridge on a stability ball or with one leg elevated off the ground.