Which is a core stability exercise included in knee injury prevention programs?

Which is a core stability exercise included in knee injury prevention programs?

• A. Prone Plank
• B. Nordic hamstring exercise
• C. Dynamic calf stretch
• D. Ice skaters

Answer: (A)

Core stability training protects the knee by keeping the spine and pelvis stable during movement, which helps maintain proper knee alignment during jumping, landing, and changing direction. The prone plank is a foundational core stability exercise because it activates the deep abdominal muscles and the back to hold the trunk rigid while the pelvis remains level, improving overall trunk control. This stability helps prevent knee positions that stress the ACL, especially during dynamic tasks, so knee injury prevention programs often include planks and similar core work alongside hip and leg strengthening. The other options focus on different goals: the Nordic hamstring exercise emphasizes eccentric hamstring strength, the dynamic calf stretch targets flexibility, and ice skaters are a plyometric drill for balance and hip control but do not primarily train core stability.

Core stability training protects the knee by keeping the spine and pelvis stable during movement, which helps maintain proper knee alignment during jumping, landing, and changing direction. The prone plank is a foundational core stability exercise because it activates the deep abdominal muscles and the back to hold the trunk rigid while the pelvis remains level, improving overall trunk control. This stability helps prevent knee positions that stress the ACL, especially during dynamic tasks, so knee injury prevention programs often include planks and similar core work alongside hip and leg strengthening. The other options focus on different goals: the Nordic hamstring exercise emphasizes eccentric hamstring strength, the dynamic calf stretch targets flexibility, and ice skaters are a plyometric drill for balance and hip control but do not primarily train core stability.