Are sit ups useful for building core stability?
While sit ups are important for creating dynamic movement strength they may actually hinder the development of correct stabilisation of the spine. The excessive forward bend of the spine that sit ups can cause may aggravate some low back syndromes. The body uses it’s strongest muscles for many tasks. If the sit up muscle, rectus abdominus, is strong it may exaggerate the lack of balance between the abdominal muscles. Gentle exercise without over using the rectus abdominus is a key component of this concept. Once subtle control of the corset muscle has been taught and practised the Queensland research suggests that fine placement of the individual vertebrae in the spine can lead to a decrease in symptoms.
