I know I am going to sound like I'm beating a dead horse but, are sit-ups really that bad for you? In just about every single training video I've seen from trainers, pros, anyone involved in boxing, I always see them do sit-ups/sit-up variations and also read about it in their training logs. I've been doing sit-ups for years and never really had any back problems or anything else aside from the occasional soreness. I really just want someone to clarify once and for all. Sometimes I read that they are bad for you, other times no, but you can't argue that thousands of people do them. :huh
This is the man to listen to on the subject, Dr. Stuart McGill (professor of spine biomechanics): [url]http://www.healthynomics.com/2010/11/dr-stuart-mcgill-interview-back-health-core-exercise/[/url] To add to his recommendation of 'stir the pot' (basically a more dynamic plank), I'd also include the ab-roller (anti-extension), deadlift/RDL (anti-flexion), contralateral weighted exercises (anti-lateral flexion) and variations of paloff press (anti-rotation). Once an athlete understands the lower back isn't meant to move then they can move to more dynamic core exercises that utilise more thoracic rotation (while maintaining lumbar stiffness) such as landmine rotations, med ball throws etc.
As with most things, we forget the body moves the head, not the other way round. There lies the problem..
i've never really had any problems with sit ups myself but i can see how they can cause problems and that dr. stuart mcgill stuff is interesting
The head can move independently of the body and contribute to poor posture. A lot of people, especially when they're beginners have no awareness of what their head is doing and move it inappropriately when performing rotational trunk exercises and pulling movements. That's why you have to constantly reinforce for them to look straight ahead and give themselves a 'double chin'. In throwing movements you're also going to lose a lot of power if you turn your head with your body as you're dampening the elastic recoil of the kinetic chain. And yes sit ups can cause bad posture, or improve it if they are stuck in anterior pelvic tilt. See that is a helpful post with information, try it sometime instead of repeating your vague BS that helps no one.
