No significant differences in
ab muscle activation were found between the exercises and all seem to work the midsection muscles equally, with the exception of the crunch, which activates the internal oblique muscles a bit less.
Not exact matches
Or you can read my interpretation of two different scientific studies at Finding the Best Abdominal Exercises for your
Ab Workouts And Review of a
Muscle Activation Study.
The researchers wanted to compare the
muscles activation and engagement in the most common abdominal exercises to find out if there are actually good and bad exercise for
muscle building and to learn if any of the
ab equipment on the market does, in fact, work better than basic body weight exercises.
For an even better perspective on what makes good
ab exercises read my review of a scientific study on
muscle activation to determine effective
ab exercises.
Most Effective
Ab Exercises:
Muscle Activation Study of the Recuts Abdominus (6 pack) and Obliques
With proper form on your
ab exercises, you'll get maximum
activation of the entire
muscle, from sternum to waistline.
To maintain a solid posture, you will be constantly adjusting your stabilizers and will have much greater
muscle activation throughout the
abs.
Holding the plank requires the
activation of all the major
ab muscles as well as many stabilizer
muscles that are often ignored.