IThe rectus abdominis muscle is located in the front of the body, starting from the pubic bone to the sternum; it is located within the abdominal region.
It is activated when doing sit-ups, because it pulls the ribs and pelvis inward and rounds the back; these muscles are also used during childbirth, bowel movements, and when coughing.
The rectus abdominis muscle performs important functions, from maintaining organs to supporting the body during movement.
Index
What are Abdominal Muscles?
The abdominal muscles are a set of strong muscle bands that line the walls of the abdomen and are located in the front of the body.
There are 5 main abdominal muscles:
- external obliques
- internal obliques
- pyramidal
- abdominal rectum
- transverse abdominal
What are the functions of the rectus abdominis muscle?
Due to its anterior longitudinal course from the rib cage (ribs and sternum) to the pelvis (pubic bone), the rectus abdominis is mainly responsible for two movements: the flexion of the trunk (thoracic and lumbar spine) and the retroversion of the pelvis.
Furthermore, the rectus abdominis is also an important auxiliary expiratory muscle, assisting in forced expiration.
Where are the abdominal muscles located?
We have seen that there are 5 muscles that make up the abdominals; 2 are vertical muscles located towards the center of the body, 3 are overlapping flat muscles, located towards the sides of the trunk.
The 2 vertical muscles are:
- pyramidalis: this muscle is small and shaped like a triangle; it is located very low in the pelvis and helps maintain the pressure inside the abdomen
- rectus abdominis muscle: this pair of muscles extends down the center of the abdomen, from the ribs to the front of the pelvis. These muscles hold the internal organs in place and keep the body stable during movement.
The 3 flat muscles are:
- external obliques: they are a pair of muscles that run from the sides of the body towards the centre; they allow the trunk to twist from side to side
- internal obliques: they are a pair of muscles that sit above the external obliques, just inside the hip bones; they work with the external obliques for trunk twisting and rotation
- transverse abdominal: is the deepest pair of flat muscles; they stabilize the trunk and help maintain internal abdominal pressure.
What conditions can affect the abdominal muscles?
The most common conditions affecting the abdominal muscles are abdominal pulls or pulls that occur with:
- overstretching of muscles
- excessive use of the abs
- violent twisting of the trunk
Symptoms of a strain are as follows:
- core muscle spasms
- trunk pain during exercise, laughter, coughing and sneezing
- swelling or bruising
- respiratory difficulties.
How to keep your core healthy?
Several strategies can help prevent abdominal injuries:
- avoid sudden movements and jerks of the trunk
- be careful when lifting heavy objects
- don't overdo it with exercise
- follow a healthy diet with the right amount of fruit, vegetables and water
- maintain a healthy body weight
- stretch every day
- perform exercises regularly core strengthening.
Did you know all this stuff about the rectus abdominis muscle? Let us know in the comments and remember to follow us on our telegram channel
SUBSCRIBE HERE TO THE TELEGRAM CHANNEL
