For Your Health: Ask BeWell!
The BeWell Tanger Center for Health Management, BIDMC's onsite wellness and exercise resource center, answers your questions in this ongoing column in BIDMCtoday.
BeWell will offer a FREE 2-week pass to any BIDMC staff member whose question is published in this column -- so e-mail your health- or fitness- related question today to the BeWell staff at mdacosta@bidmc.harvard.edu.
Q.Is it possible to selectively train your lower abdominal muscles?
A.Several studies have been done using electromyographic (EMG) activity recorded during the performance of various abdominal exercises (e.g., crunches, reverse curls, leg lifts.) An EMG device measures the response of muscles and nerves to electrical activity by inserting a needle into the muscle. The studies showed that individuals were unable to differentially recruit the "upper" and "lower" abdominal muscles. In other words, individuals cannot trigger a contraction in one specific area of the abdominal muscles (either the upper or lower abs).
Despite the common misconception among many fitness professionals and exercise enthusiasts, EMG data suggest that the upper and lower abdominal act as one large muscle group. The key point to keep in mind is that local muscle fatigue and discomfort should not be misinterpreted as specific recruitment of "lower" abdominal muscles.