…continued – Abs
When you understand the biomechanical aspects of certain muscles used to complete many abdominal movements you can then begin to isolate the abdominal region for more effective and efficient abdominal overload.
Remember that your abdominal muscles are used to shorten the distance between your sternum and your pelvis about 30 degrees. With this understood you can eliminate many common abdominal exercises such as traditional sit-ups.
The Problem With Sit-ups
The problem with sit-ups is just that, they are an exercise that causes you to sit up. This motion goes way beyond the 30 degree abdominal involvement. In doing so it brings into play a set of muscles call the psoas. The psoas muscles attach to your lower back and travel down and around to attach to the front of your femur (upper leg).
The psoas muscles biomechanical action draws the torso toward the thighs, like a sit-up. The psoas muscles also stabilize the lower back in an arched position. So any time you are doing any sort of abdominal exercises and your lower back is arched you are mainly working the psoas muscles with little abdominal assistance.
Eliminating The Psoas Effect While Training Abs
Here is a sure-fire way to completely eliminate the psoas muscles from diminishing the efficiency of abdominal training. During all abdominal movements make sure you never arch your lower back. Always keep your lower back slightly rounded and emphasize the contraction of the abdominal region during the initial 30 degrees of movement. Simple as that, and now I will detail how to effectively accomplish this.
