|
Page 3 of 6
Partial Sit Ups
Partial sit ups are done to strengthen the abdominal muscles. It is important to have strong abdominal muscles because they help increase intra-abdominal pressure while lifting. This takes some of the weight bearing and stress off the spine.
Partial sit ups are done correctly with the hips and knees slightly bent. One should raise the arms, head and shoulders off the floor as shown. The position is held for five to ten seconds. One should never raise to the point that the lower back is lifted from the floor. This causes too much pressure on the disc and is unnecessary for abdominal muscles strengthening. The feet should not be stabilized; stabilizing the feet will allow the hip flexor muscles to do the work and you may be getting the opposite effect that you want with this exercise. It is important that the pelvis be tilted in order to keep the lower back flat on the floor throughout the exercise.
The partial sit up should be done with a slight right and left twist to strengthen the oblique muscles of the abdomen. Strengthening exercises such as this should be started mildly and gradually increases in number as the muscles get stronger. They should be done once or twice a day. These exercises cause increased pressure on the disc and should not be done by someone with an active disc disorder.
|
