The modified sit-up may be a better exercise selection than the traditional US Army sit-up to train the abdominal muscles: Human Performance Laboratory at Montclair State University

 

Posted on May 15, 2015 by Stone Hearth News

 

  

J Strength Cond Res. 2015 May 11. [Epub ahead of print]
The effect of the traditional versus a modified bent-knee sit-up on abdominal and hip flexor muscle EMG activity.
Sullivan W1, Gardin FA, Bellon CR, Leigh S.
Author information

  

1Research was conducted at the Human Performance Laboratory at Montclair State University, Institution of all authors and mailing address: Department of Exercise Science & Physical Education, Montclair State University, Montclair NJ, 07043 USA.

Abstract

The traditional sit-up may be a poor choice for core strength training due to its focus on hip flexion.
The purpose of this study was to determine differences in abdominal and hip flexor muscle activation and trunk and hip kinematics between the traditional US Army sit-up and a modified sit-up focusing on trunk flexion.
Eighteen trained males performed 30 seconds of repetitions of each sit-up style while muscle activation of the rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), and rectus femoris (RF) was recorded using electromyography (EMG).
Trunk and hip kinematics were measured using 2-D videography.
Maximum and mean muscle activation, integrated EMG (iEMG), and trunk and hip flexion were compared using a repeated measures design.
Maximum EMG of the RF and EO, and mean EMG and iEMG of the RF were greater during the traditional sit-up.
In contrast, mean EMG and iEMG of the RA and EO were greater during the modified sit-up.
Peak trunk flexion was greater during the modified sit-up and peak hip flexion was greater during the traditional sit-up.
The greater RF EMG activity and peak hip flexion during the traditional sit-up suggest a greater emphasis on hip flexion during this sit-up style, which may result in lumbar hyperextension.
The greater RA and EO activity and peak trunk flexion during the modified sit-up suggest a greater emphasis on trunk flexion during this exercise, which may decrease the lumbar spine load.
Therefore, the modified sit-up may be a better exercise selection to train the abdominal muscles.

Source

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