Core Exercises
Can Improve Eye/Text Tracking

If you are not familiar with the idea of core exercises as a treatment for dyslexia this may seem a bit weird. However, like with everything on this website, it’s free so you might as well give it a go. They only take a couple of minutes each day. You won’t even break a sweat.

Remember Rome wasn’t built in a day; likewise you don’t want to rush these exercises. You need to do them 3-4 times a week for about 18 months.

These exercises have hugely improved my eye/text tracking ability. It means I can read for longer without tiredness. It’s also increased my general reading speed.

Overview of the main principles:

The core muscles include the abdominals and lower back. Click here for more information about core muscles.

You may be thinking 'what has this got to do with dyslexia?' Well by strengthening the core it aids coordination of all the other muscles. (Click here to find out how core muscles and posture are related to dyslexia). As a result eye muscle coordination improves. This makes reading an easier and more comfortable process (see evidence).

Warning:

If you have any medical problems please speak to your doctor before starting this exercise programme.

Also please remember:

1. Follow all the instructions carefully.
2. Do NOT advance too soon to an exercise your body is not ready for (use common sense).

1. Foundation Exercises:

The superman: these exercises will build the muscles in your lower back.

Watch this video demonstration.

As you can see there are three variations of this exercise. Do not skip the easiest one.

VERY IMPORTANT: WHEN DOING THESE EXERCISES YOU MUST SQUEEZE THE MUSCLES IN YOUR BUM.

IF YOU DO NOT SQUEEZE THE MUSCLES IN YOUR BUM THE EXERCISES WILL NOT WORK.

Do not rush to get to the next group of exercises. Take care it’s easy to strain the lower back.

2. Core Exercises:

More core workouts:

The exercises above are really just the basics. If you hunt around on YouTube you can find loads more. However if you want a more structured and comprehensive core workout then have a look at some of these DVDs.

Don't get ripped off:

Treating dyslexia with physical exercise is not a new idea. Businesses have been selling it in one form or another for years. You will generally find a wobble board in these packages. They’ll claim it has been specially designed for treating dyslexia.

A wobble or balance board is simply a good way to exercise the lower back. Click here if you want to use one of them instead of the exercises above.

Conclusion:

These exercises have greatly improved my eye/text tracking ability. This has made it so much easier for me to read with greater speed and comfort. Click here for more treatments and interventions.

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Evidence for Core Exercises:

Follow-up of an exercise-based treatment for children with reading difficulties. .

Static postural control in children with developmental dyslexia. .

Effects of dyslexia on postural control in adults. .

Impaired balancing ability in dyslexic children. .

Postural control in dyslexic and non-dyslexic children.