Core Exercise Effectiveness: New Study Questions Routines

Exercise Effectiveness: A Core and Balance Study Questions Common Routines

A 2025 double-blinded study from Miguel Hernández University in Spain tested two popular human core-strengthening exercises and found no measurable benefit for improving trunk performance or whole-body balance in young, active men. The findings highlight a fundamental principle of exercise science known as specificity, which has direct implications for designing effective canine fitness programs. Separately, a 2025 animal study published in Veterinary Sciences points to the potent, disease-modifying power of specific, high-effort exercise, showing ladder-climbing reduced mammary tumors in a rat model.

Core Stability Exercises Show Limited Transfer in Human Trial

Researchers led by Aleix Prat-Luri and Francisco Javier Vera-Garcia assigned 60 physically active young men to either a control group or one of two exercise groups. Both exercise groups performed bridging and bird-dog exercises twice a week for six weeks, with one group emphasizing higher intensity (more resistance) and the other higher volume (more repetitions). Using smartphone accelerometers to precisely control effort, the team measured outcomes across three domains: trunk stability, trunk endurance, and whole-body dynamic balance.

After the intervention, neither exercise group outperformed the control group in overall balance or endurance. The researchers noted, however, a pattern of specific adaptation: the high-intensity group showed the greatest improvement in performing the actual bridging and bird-dog tests themselves, while the high-volume group saw better gains on sustained endurance holds. The team concluded that the typical low dose of these exercises in general fitness routines, combined with the participants’ already high baseline fitness, likely contributed to the lack of broad transfer. “This study questions the effectiveness of bridging and bird-dog exercises for improving trunk performance and whole-body balance in this population, beyond the tasks used in training,” they wrote.

Ladder-Climbing Exercise Reduces Mammary Cancer in Animal Model

In a separate line of inquiry, a 2025 study by Silva and Azevedo investigated the direct impact of a specific exercise on disease. Using a rat model of chemically induced mammary cancer, they had one group perform ladder-climbing exercise—a high-effort, resistance-type activity involving gripping and pulling the body weight upwards. Compared to a sedentary control group, the rats performing this vertical climbing exercise showed a significant reduction in mammary tumor burden.

While the exact molecular mechanisms require further study, the authors suggest that this type of strenuous exercise likely induces systemic changes that create a less hospitable environment for tumors. Possible pathways include the release of exercise-induced myokines (signaling proteins from muscles), improved immune surveillance, reductions in chronic inflammation, and modulation of key hormones like estrogen. This research moves beyond general fitness benefits and points to a potential role for targeted, high-intensity exercise as part of a broader strategy against specific diseases.

Specificity and Dose: Translating Principles to Canine Fitness

The central lesson from both studies is the non-negotiable principle of specificity. The human core study showed that practicing a bird-dog improves your bird-dog, but does not necessarily improve your ability to balance on one leg or hop. For dogs, this means that general walking, while beneficial for cardiovascular health and mental stimulation, may not sufficiently build the muscular strength or joint stability needed for, say, preventing cruciate ligament injuries or managing arthritis.

The canine equivalent must be goal-oriented. Improving a dog’s rear-end awareness and core stability for injury prevention might require specific exercises like cavaletti poles, controlled wobble board work, or weight-shifting drills, not just longer walks. The cancer study further emphasizes that the type of exercise matters. For a dog recovering from illness or at risk for certain conditions, a veterinarian might recommend structured, higher-intensity interval exercises or resistance work (like hill climbs or harness-pulling) to elicit specific physiological adaptations, rather than low-intensity steady-state activity.

Dose is equally critical. The human study used a relatively low dose (twice weekly), which proved insufficient for broad improvement in already-fit subjects. For a deconditioned pet, that dose might be adequate for initial adaptation, but progress would eventually stall without increased intensity, volume, or complexity. This is why rehabilitative exercises prescribed by a veterinary physiotherapist are progressive and adjusted over time.

Designing an Evidence-Based Canine Exercise Plan

Applying these research insights, a science-based approach to canine fitness involves several steps. First, a veterinary assessment is essential to identify any underlying conditions, like genetic heart disease or joint pain that may require advanced pain management, before starting a new regimen. For a healthy dog, owners should define a clear goal: is it weight loss, improved muscle mass for aging, pre-surgical conditioning, or mental enrichment?

The exercise program should then combine modalities. Cardiovascular exercise (running, swimming) supports heart and lung health. Resistance and strength exercises (uphill sprints, pulling, specific physio exercises) build muscle and support joints. Skill and coordination work (agility, nosework, balance exercises) enhance proprioception and cognitive function. Crucially, the plan must account for the dog’s breed, age, and personality. The intensity and volume should start conservatively and increase gradually, monitoring the dog for signs of fatigue or discomfort.

Finally, acknowledge that rest and recovery are part of the fitness equation. Overtraining suppresses immune function and increases injury risk, negating the benefits of exercise. A balanced plan includes active recovery days and ensures the dog receives adequate nutrition and hydration to support its new activity level.

Conclusion

Emerging exercise science, from studies on human core training to animal disease models, reinforces that physical activity is a powerful but precise tool. For canine wellness, generalized activity is good, but targeted, progressive exercise designed with specificity and appropriate dose in mind is far more effective for achieving specific health, rehabilitation, and performance outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will just taking my dog for longer walks make them fitter?

Longer walks improve cardiovascular endurance but follow the principle of specificity; they do little to build the specific strength, joint stability, or explosive power needed for activities like agility or injury prevention. A well-rounded fitness plan incorporates different types of exercise.

How can exercise help my dog if they have a health condition?

As the rat cancer model suggests, specific exercise can induce physiological changes that may improve the body’s environment. For conditions like arthritis, carefully prescribed exercise maintains muscle mass to support joints, manages weight, and reduces inflammation. Always consult your vet for a condition-specific plan.

The study said core exercises didn’t improve balance in fit humans. Does that mean they’re useless for dogs?

No, it highlights that exercise must be appropriately dosed and tailored. For a dog with weak core muscles or recovering from injury, specific stabilization exercises are vital. For a fit, active dog, those same exercises at a low dose may not provide a new challenge, and the routine must be progressed to see continued benefit.

How do I know if my dog’s exercise program is intense enough?

Signs of an effective dose include measurable progress towards a goal (e.g., able to hold a balance pose longer, completing a hike with less fatigue), maintained lean muscle mass, and sustained enthusiasm. Signs of overtraining include lagging on walks, stiffness, and decreased appetite. Regular veterinary check-ins can help assess progress.

Sources:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40471900/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40284805/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40063470/