The functions of the abdominal muscles, are:
- They keep the body straight, therefore, we correct the posture. Not only in our daily life, but also when we exercise. This will help us prevent back pain and possible injuries.
- They help us to compensate the body: the lower back pain we mentioned before, in most cases due to the lack of abdominal muscle tone. There is an imbalance because the back is too toned (because it gets stronger directly and indirectly when doing certain exercises). On the other hand, the abdomen is not as strong. Therefore, to correct this imbalance, we must train the abdomen more to strengthen it. If we succeed, we will see how lower back pain is reduced.
- Stabilize the trunk: the trunk participates in the vast majority of exercises we do. This allows it to get stronger and achieve a good muscle tone that will help us transfer strength safely, avoiding injuries and more effectively.
- Involved during respiration: their function when we breathe is to lower the ribs when we exhale.
- They help to coordinate movements: when we want to do a movement, the abdominals help us to coordinate the brain, the marrow and the whole body.
- They allow us to bend and rotate: the internal oblique abdominals are in charge of performing this movement. However, when we bend and rotate, we will do it to the same side, for example, if we contract the left internal oblique, we will rotate to the left.
- The lateral transverse muscle is in charge of joining the abdominal structure, of holding the internal organs together, of compacting the weight of the stomach and also helps to balance the spine.
- They help to free the back: if we have strong abdominals, when we take a weight they will help us to unload the back so that it does not have to support all the weight by itself. They also distribute the weight when we sneeze, when women give birth or when we go to the bathroom.
The different abdominal muscles:
Rectus abdominis: It’s a large, flat muscle, the most superficial. It is located between the ribs and the pelvic bone. Depending on our genetics, it is divided into 3 or 4 tendon bands.
Oblique: they are divided into internal and external. The external obliques are the largest abdominal muscle. It is found on the sides of the rectus abdominis (from the ribs to the pelvis).
The internal abdominals are deeper muscles, located below the external obliques. They are also known as the inverse lateral rotators.
Transverse Abdomen: This is the deepest abdominal muscle. Just below the rectus abdominis and obliques. It is a kind of abdominal girdle or band. It is activated when we contract inwards (towards the spine) and upwards (below the ribs). When we contract it, a concavity is formed in the navel.