The End of Sit-Ups?

Once a major exercise for building the core, sit-ups are no longer a popular core exercise.

The sit-up has been the major exercise for building the abdominal and core muscles for more than 100 years. However, sit-ups put an unacceptable load on the spine. Leading to disc injury and chronic back pain.

Developing core stiffness is more important than building trunk flexion fitness. Because it strengthens muscles and improves muscular endurance.Also reduces low back pain, and boosts sports performance.

Greater core stiffness transfers strength and speed to the limbs. While increasing load bearing capacity of the spine. Also protects internal organs during sports movements.

A landmark study showed isometric exercises for the core resulted in greater core stiffness. Rather than performing whole-body dynamic exercises that activated core muscles. The results of this study cast doubts on the value of traditional core exercises such as sit-ups.

An extremely important study might change the way we build abdominal and core muscle fitness.