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The steps to increased power

1. Exercises should be performed in a standing position: most of your trunk exercises should be performed standing up, since this is the position of most athletic movements. While you're standing the exercises involve all the trunk-and hip-stabiliser muscles and not just the abdominals or low back in isolation.

2. Training should target endurance, strength and power: The trunk muscles are important for maintaining good posture and spinal alignment. This is a 24 hour, 7 days a week task - in other words, the trunk muscles have to perform this function all day every day and thus must have good endurance. The trunk muscles are also integral in power movements, e.g., throwing, jumping and hitting, and so strength and power must be developed. Thus, a trunk programme should contain a mix of low intensity/high repetition exercises with high-intensity and plyometric-type movements.

3. Exercises must be multi-directional: The trunk can (1) flex forward and extend back, (2) flex to the left and right side, (3) rotate about its centre, and (4) perform any combination of the above movements in three planes. Exercises that integrate these three planes will provide the biggest challenge and benefits to an athlete looking to develop functional core strength.

4. Trunk exercise programmes must be progressive: you’ll learn how to start with simple movements and progress to multi-plane movements when the basics are secure. You’ll start with low-intensity exercises and add resistance to the movements once the technique is mastered and strength is improved. Then you’ll progress your positions: from lying to sitting, to kneeling to standing, to standing on one leg, to standing on one leg on an unstable base. From slow and static exercises, you’ll progress to power exercises.