The abdominal muscles function and training: A scientific approach
Keywords:Abdominal, Global stabilization, Postural control, Training
The training of the abdominal muscles has been a topic of strong debate, not only in regards to the correct way of performing the exercises but also in regards to all that relates to the specific muscular participation. The current article starts from a review and anatomical description of the abdominal muscle, as well as its function applied to different actions like for example, to walk and to run. It also includes a detailed analysis of the more commonly used exercises in its training. Scientific studies analyzing the differentiated action of the abdominal muscle and the hip muscles when performing different exercises (with and without elements) have been reviewed. The relevance of strengthening the abdominal muscle in order to maintain the required levels of strength and endurance, as well as to maintain the core balance and stabilization, is stressed. The systematic performance of trunk flexion exercises including whole range of movement, without holding the lower body, and maintaining the hips and knees in a 45º and 90º flexion is an effective way to train the abdominal muscles.
Axler, C.T. And Mcgill, S.M. (1997). Low back loads over a variety of abdominal ex: searching for the safest and challenge. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 29(6): 804-810. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005768-199706000-00011
Bompa, O.T. (1995). Periodización de la fuerza, la nueva onda en el entrenamiento de la fuerza. Argentina: Ediciones Biosystem Servicio educativo.
Cissik, J.M. (2002). Programming Abdominal Training, Part I. Journal of Strength and Conditioning. 24(1):9-15. https://doi.org/10.1519/00126548-200202000-00002
Clark, K.M.; Holt L.E. And Sinyard J. (2003). Electromyographic comparison of the Upper and Lower Abdominins During Abdominal Exercises. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research.17 (3):475-483.
Cosio-Lima, L.M.; Reynolds, K.; Winter, C.; Paolone, V. And Jones M.T. (2003). Effects of physioball and Conventional Exercises on Early Phase Adaptation in Back and Abdominal Core Stability and Balance in Women. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research. 17(4):721-725.
Harman, E. (2000).The Biomechanics of Resistance Exercise, Chapter 3. In: Baechle, T.R.; Earle, R.W., eds. Essential of Strength Training and Conditioning (NSCA). Champaign IL: Human Kinetics, pp. 25-56.
Hildenbrand, K., & Noble, L. (2004). Abdominal Muscle Activity While Performing Trunk-Flexion Exercises Using the Ab Roller, ABslide, FitBall, and Conventionally Performed Trunk Curls. Journal of Athletic Training (National Athletic Trainers' Association), 39(1), 37–43.
Koch, F. (1994). Strength Training For Sport. Applied Futuristic, Inc USA.
Koch, F.; Blom, R.K. And Andzel, W. (1994). "Sit Ups" Revisited, The state of the abdominal training in 1995 Appendix I in Koch F. Strength Training For Sport, Applied Futuristic, Inc USA.
Mcardle, W.D.; Katch, F.I.; Katch, V.L. (2000). Essential of Exercise Physiology. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Sands, W.A. And Mcneal, J.R. A (2002). kinematic Comparison of four abdominal Training Devices and Traditional Abdominal Crunch. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research.16(1):135-141.
Tyson, A.D. (1997a). Abdominal Antomy and Strength Assessment, part 1. Strength & Conditioning.19(2): pp 38 –39. https://doi.org/10.1519/1073-6840(1997)019<0038:AAASAP>2.3.CO;2
Tyson, A.D. (1997b). Abdominal Antomy and Strength Assessment, part 2. Strength & Conditioning. 19(3):70 - 71. https://doi.org/10.1519/1073-6840(1997)019<0070:ASA>2.3.CO;2
Warden, S. J., Wajswelner, H., & Bennell, K. L. (1999). Comparison of Abshaper and conventionally performed abdominal exercises using surface electromyography. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 31(11), 1656–1664. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005768-199911000-00024
Within, W.C.; Rugg, S.; Coleman, A. And Vincent, W.J. (1999). Muscle Activity During Sit ups using abdominal exercise devices. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research. 13(4):339-345.
Willet, G.M.; Hyde, J.E.; Uhrlaub, M.B.; Wendel, C.L. And Karst G.M. (2001). Relative Activity of abdominal Muscles During Commonly Prescribed Strengthening Exercises. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research. 15(4),480-485.
Wirhed, E. (1986). Abilitá atletica e anatomia del movimento. Milano: Edit Ermes.
How to Cite
Copyright (c) 2008 Journal of Human Sport and Exercise
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Each author warrants that his or her submission to the Work is original and that he or she has full power to enter into this agreement. Neither this Work nor a similar work has been published elsewhere in any language nor shall be submitted for publication elsewhere while under consideration by JHSE. Each author also accepts that the JHSE will not be held legally responsible for any claims of compensation.
Authors wishing to include figures or text passages that have already been published elsewhere are required to obtain permission from the copyright holder(s) and to include evidence that such permission has been granted when submitting their papers. Any material received without such evidence will be assumed to originate from the authors.
Please include at the end of the acknowledgements a declaration that the experiments comply with the current laws of the country in which they were performed. The editors reserve the right to reject manuscripts that do not comply with the abovementioned requirements. The author(s) will be held responsible for false statements or failure to fulfill the above-mentioned requirements.
This title is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
You are free to share, copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format. The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms under the following terms:
Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
NonCommercial — You may not use the material for commercial purposes.
NoDerivatives — If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you may not distribute the modified material.
No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
You do not have to comply with the license for elements of the material in the public domain or where your use is permitted by an applicable exception or limitation.
No warranties are given. The license may not give you all of the permissions necessary for your intended use. For example, other rights such as publicity, privacy, or moral rights may limit how you use the material.
Transfer of Copyright
In consideration of JHSE’s publication of the Work, the authors hereby transfer, assign, and otherwise convey all copyright ownership worldwide, in all languages, and in all forms of media now or hereafter known, including electronic media such as CD-ROM, Internet, and Intranet, to JHSE. If JHSE should decide for any reason not to publish an author’s submission to the Work, JHSE shall give prompt notice of its decision to the corresponding author, this agreement shall terminate, and neither the author nor JHSE shall be under any further liability or obligation.
Each author certifies that he or she has no commercial associations (e.g., consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangements, etc.) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article, except as disclosed on a separate attachment. All funding sources supporting the Work and all institutional or corporate affiliations of the authors are acknowledged in a footnote in the Work.
Each author certifies that his or her institution has approved the protocol for any investigation involving humans or animals and that all experimentation was conducted in conformity with ethical and humane principles of research.
Biomedical journals typically require authors and reviewers to declare if they have any competing interests with regard to their research.
JHSE require authors to agree to Copyright Notice as part of the submission process.