The Science Behind the 
DynaCore® Fitness Training System

Every design decision is grounded in peer-reviewed research. Here's what the science says about complete core training.

StatFindingSource
20-to-over 40%Higher muscle activation on unstable surfaces compared to stable ground exercisesBehm et al. (2010), Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research; Behm & Colado (2012), International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy 
1/3Athletes who did strength training had injury rates about 1/3 of those who didn'tLauersen et al., 2014, British Journal of Sports Medicine
1One plane of motion, rotation in the transverse plane, is underworked in heavy compound exercises Martín-Fuentes, et. al., 2020, PLOS ONE, and Yavuz & Erdağ, 2017, Applied Bionics and Biomechanics
1One patented core muscle training device with a full 180° of transverse rotation AND sagittal and frontal plane workloadU.S. Patent #11,844,979

Understanding Complete Core Training:  
The 8 Core Functions Explained

Your core muscles don't just flex. They extend, rotate, bend laterally, and must also stabilize against all of these movements. Complete training addresses all eight functions: flexion, anti-flexion, lateral flexion, anti-lateral-flexion, extension, anti-extension, rotation, and anti-rotation.
Image displaying the planes of motion and the axes of motion for the human body

Research-Supported Design Principles Behind the DynaCore® Trainer

What scientific evidence went into the design of the DynaCore® fitness trainer?

1. Rotational and Multi-Planar Training

Many sports require creating, absorbing, and controlling rotational force. The DynaCore® trainer's 180° rotational design challenges the body across multiple planes of motion rather than relying on sagittal-plane patterns alone — reflecting the research on rotational strength, rotational control, and force transfer in athletic performance.

Willardson, J. M. (2007). Core stability training: Applications to sports conditioning programs. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 21(3), 979–985. 

2. Anti-Rotation and Stability Development

Resisting unwanted movement matters as much as producing it. DynaCore® trainer exercises require the user to stabilize and control the trunk in addition to moving dynamically, building awareness of trunk position, rotational control, and movement efficiency.

McGill, S. M., & Karpowicz, A. (2009). Exercises for spine stabilization: Motion/motor patterns, stability progressions, and clinical technique. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 90(1), 118–126.

3. Progressive Neuromuscular Challenge

The DynaCore® trainer's micro-instability features increase the demand on coordination, balance, and trunk stabilization. The aim is for continuous adaptation and control throughout each repetition, building neuromuscular capability.

Kibler, W. B., Press, J., & Sciascia, A. (2006). The role of core stability in athletic function. Sports Medicine, 36(3), 189–198

4. Athletic Force Transfer

Performance depends on efficient force transfer through the kinetic chain. Whether throwing, swinging, striking, sprinting, grappling, or changing direction, athletes must coordinate movement between the upper and lower 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. 

5. Engagement Through Gamification

Sustaining participation is one of the hardest problems in fitness. The DynaCore® mobile app provides interactive training, performance tracking, and game-based elements that research suggests can improve adherence.

Johnson, D., Deterding, S., Kuhn, K.-A., Staneva, A., Stoyanov, S., & Hides, L. (2016). Gamification for health and wellbeing: A systematic review of the literature. Internet Interventions, 6, 89–106. 

KEY INSIGHT:
Why Complete Range-of-Motion Matters

Core training is not about visible abdominal muscles. Modern performance programs develop trunk stability, rotational control, force transfer, movement efficiency, balance, coordination, injury resilience, and the consistency to keep it all improving.

The Case for Rotational Training: 
The Missing Link in Core Development

How exactly does your core work during athletic movements?

Golf Swing

The power of a drive comes from the ground up, transferred through rotational force in the core. The faster and more stable your core rotation, the more club speed you generate.

Myers, J., et. al. (2008). The role of upper torso and pelvis rotation in driving performance during the golf swing. Journal of Sports Sciences, 26(2), 181–188

Tennis/Pickleball Serve

Every serve begins with hip and torso rotation, then requires rapid acceleration and deceleration to transfer energy to the arm and racket. Weak rotational stability means energy leaks and potential injury.

Martin, C., et. al. (2014). Energy flow analysis during the tennis serve: Comparison between injured and noninjured tennis players. American Journal of Sports Medicine, 42(11), 2751–2760. 

Throwing Sports

Whether baseball, softball, or football, throwing power originates in the core. Anti-rotation strength protects the spine during the follow-through.

Orishimo, K. F., et. al. (2023). Role of pelvis and trunk biomechanics in generating ball velocity in baseball pitching. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 37(3), 623–628. 

Everyday Movements

Reaching, twisting, carrying—daily life demands complete core stability. A core trained only in flexion and extension leaves gaps that can lead to strain and injury.

McGill, S. M. (1995). The mechanics of torso flexion: Sit-ups and standing dynamic flexion manoeuvres. Clinical Biomechanics, 10(4), 184–192.

KEY INSIGHT:
What Rotational Strength Does

Existing core trainers limit rotation to - at most - a few degrees of tilt. The DynaCore® trainer's full 180° capability means you can train rotation through its complete athletic range of motion.

Joint-Friendly Design: 
Protecting Your Joints While Exercising

What are the factors that lead to injury with current core training methods?

Lower Back Compression

Crunches and sit-ups create repetitive spinal flexion under load—a pattern associated with disc problems. The DynaCore® trainer enables core training with a neutral spine position.

Callaghan, J. P., & McGill, S. M. (2001). Intervertebral disc herniation: Studies on a porcine model exposed to highly repetitive flexion/extension motion with compressive force. Clinical Biomechanics, 16(1), 28–37..

Wrist Extension Under Load

Standard planks and ab rollers force the wrist into extension under load, which can contribute to wrist pain and injury. The forearm platform of the DynaCore® trainer is designed with ergonomically angled handles for a more neutral wrist position without any load-bearing requirement.

Majima M, et. al., Load Transmission Through the Wrist in the Extended Position, Journal of Hand Surgery, 33, 182-188.

Shoulder Load Distribution

Side planks concentrate a significant load on a single supporting shoulder. This may be fine for many, but it can be a real barrier for anyone with a shoulder injury or surgical history. The DynaCore® trainer distributes that load across the entire upper arm. It is designed to keep complete core training accessible, even when loading one shoulder isn't an option.

Krause DA, Dueffert LG, Postma JL, Vogler ET, Walsh AJ, Hollman JH. "Influence of Body Position on Shoulder and Trunk Muscle Activation During Resisted Isometric Shoulder External Rotation." Sports Health: A Multidisciplinary Approach, 2018.

KEY INSIGHT:
Reducing the Risk of Injury

These aren't hypothetical concerns. Injuries while performing traditional core training exercises happen, and trainers and physical therapists have been warning about them for years. The DynaCore® trainer is designed to maximize core engagement while minimizing strain on back, wrists, elbows, and shoulders.

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Science-Backed Core Training?

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Scientific Disclaimer

The literature summarized above supports many of the training principles incorporated into the design of the DynaCore® Fitness Training System. The DynaCore® Fitness Training System itself has not been evaluated in peer-reviewed clinical studies. This document should not be read as evidence that the DynaCore® trainer produces specific outcomes. It explains the scientific rationale that guided the system's design and the research-supported concepts it was built to incorporate. Future research will be needed to directly evaluate the effects of the DynaCore® trainer on athletic performance, core strength, movement quality, injury-risk factors, exercise adherence, and other outcomes.