Hi Caz, thanks for your input...i think your comments reflect the major problem out there...

1. Most people believe that core stability is how you described it - a tensioning of your "core" muscles all the time. However, most people (including physios) think that you can feel this contraction - if you can feel it "on" strongly, you aren't doing it right. It only takes a very small amount of transversus activation to help prepare the joints for loading. As little as 3%...

2. Core stability is such a bad term. I get very frustrated by it because of the misconceptions out there of what the core is. It is well defined in the L/S and Wikipedia reference-linkSIJ that the original "core" was thought to be the diaphragm, transversus abdominis, multifidus and the pelvic floor. The % amount of activation required from each muscle is dependent on the load requirements

3. Efficient Load transfer means the joint has just the right amount of compression and tension to accept and transmit the load to the next joint. Overactivity is just as bad as underactivity

Ultimately the reason why CS is not the answer to everything back pain related is because there are many reasons for back pain! I know it sounds simple but too many people forget the simple things in life!

Lastly, with respect to the core muscles vs global muscles...
1. Core muscles are needed to provide a platform from which large torque producing muscles can act from
2. Global muscles are needed in sufficient strength to produce the torques necessary to perform functional tasks
3. Core muscle strength is therefore a prerequiste for truly strong global muscle function
4. Just because you have strength and training in Globals doesn't mean you have a strong core.

Put another way...Core=basis for strength but strength (of globals) doesn't equal good core strength

Thanks!