Developing a six-pack for abdominals seems to be the fitness craze for the New Year. A large percentage of infomercials focus on having a ripped mid-section, and while this might be aesthetically pleasing to the eyes, it may not be very functional.

Even though this article is primarily for golfers, the average fitness buff might also find this of interest. What actually happens during crunches is that the origin of that muscle and the insertion move closer to one another causing a contraction, and what goes on during that time is very crucial to the success of your movement.

A large percentage of the population does not perform sit-ups correctly. What I see in many gyms are over utilized cervical and hip flexors, arching backs, and a rhythm that would give the Road Runner a run for his money. It often appears obvious that those attempting the six pack were not educated on which abdominal muscles they were working.

The most underutilized and neglected abdominal muscle in the human body is the transverses abdominis, the main stabilizer of the lower back, which serves to increase intra-abdominal pressure and in turn stabilizes the spine during load. Yet most people do not know how to activate it. The rectus abdominis which serves to flex the trunk is over utilized in comparison to the lower abdominals and contributes to the gorilla like forward flexed position that you see working out in the gym.

This becomes very important for the golfer, since the game is played in a forward flexed position. Doing crunches only adds to the upper versus lower abdominal muscle imbalances. The emphasis needs to be placed on recruitment of the lower abdominals to increase spinal stability, and this is performed by doing lower abdominal coordination exercises.

Golfers getting – or staying – in shape for the game should learn how to develop a functioning abdominal unit (more so than a flattering abdominal unit) which in turn will help performance and reduce the chances for back injury.

Michael Butler is co-owner of Kinetix Health and Performance Center, a licensed physical therapist assistant, a certified strength and conditioning coach with the highest distinction honors, a full body active release therapist, and a writer and publisher for over 100 articles, books and magazines. He can be reached at (760) 200.1719; [email protected]. www.kinetixcenter.com