How does crawling as a toddler affect reading as a child? For that matter, could your core strength also affect your ability to read as an adult? And what impact could your posture, which affects the engagement of your core, have on reading and focus in your day-to-day life?



I pondered each of these questions after our grandson heard from one of his classmates that the longer a child crawls, the better he or she will be at reading. I hadn't heard that before, but it sounded interesting to investigate. Could the muscles around your midsection impact the function of your mind? Here's what I discovered.



The correlation between physical fitness and cognitive function has long been a subject of interest in the scientific community.Chaddock, L., Erickson, K. I., Prakash, R. S., Kim, J. S., Voss, M. W., VanPatter, M., ... & Kramer, A. F. (2011). A neuroimaging investigation of the association between aerobic fitness, hippocampal volume, and memory performance in preadolescent children. Brain Research, 1358, 172-183. As our understanding of the human body and mind continues to grow, it becomes increasingly clear that the two are intricately linked and that improving our physical well-being can positively impact our intellectual capabilities.Tomporowski, P. D., Davis, C. L., Miller, P. H., & Naglieri, J. A. (2008). Exercise and children's intelligence, cognition, and academic achievement. Educational Psychology Review, 20(2), 111-131. One aspect of this relationship that is gaining attention is the connection between core strength and reading abilities.



What does "core strength" mean?



Core strength refers to the stability and strength of the muscles surrounding the spine, pelvis, and torso.Willardson, J. M. (2007). Core stability training: applications to sports conditioning programs. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 21(3), 979-985. These muscles, which include the rectus abdominis, erector spinae, obliques, and the deep stabilizing muscles such as the transversus abdominis and multifidus, work in harmony to provide essential support for your body.Hibbs, A. E., Thompson, K. G., French, D., Wrigley, A., & Spears, I. (2008). Optimizing performance by improving core stability and core strength. Sports Medicine, 38(12), 995-1008. A strong core is vital to maintain balance and proper posture which reduces injury risk.Akuthota, V., & Nadler, S. F. (2004). Core strengthening. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 85(3), S86-S92. Furthermore, core strength is crucial in virtually all daily activities, from sitting and standing to bending and lifting.



The core muscles are a central hub facilitating force transfer and movement between the upper and lower body.Kibler, W. B., Press, J., & Sciascia, A. (2006). The role of core stability in athletic function. Sports Medicine, 36(3), 189-198. To gain an appreciation for their importance, imagine yourself picking up a grocery bag from the floor with a midsection made of rubber. Or what about throwing a ball from overhead? It wouldn't be possible. Your core creates a stable connection between your ams and lower body, allowing you to move and lift and swing. A strong core can even amplify the force generated by your arms or legs. However, the benefits of core strength are not exclusive to athletes; individuals of all ages and fitness levels can experience improvements in daily activities and overall quality of life by focusing on core conditioning.



Beyond its stabilizing role, your core has a unique connection to your brain as well.



The Case for Crawling



Crawling is one of the most primal types of exercise we learn. The significance of crawling as a toddler has long been a topic of interest for developmental psychologists and educators. When a human (toddler or adult) crawls, they lift one hand off the floor while simultaneously lifting the knee on the opposite side of the body. This movement requires you to stabilize yourself with the muscles in your...