Resistance exercise program effects on abdominal function and physique.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of different abdominal exercise programs on abdominal muscular function and physique. Forty-five men and women (aged 18-26 yr) were randomly assigned to training using: (1) abdominal crunch (AC) weight machine; (2) steated incline (SI) weight machine; or (3) incline sit-up (ISU) exercise. Strength training occurred three times per week for 10 weeks. All groups improved in abdominal muscular strength and endurance. The ISU and AC group improved in muscular power (timed sit-up), while flexibility was maintained or increased in all groups. Abdominal skinfolds tended to increase and girths generally were unaltered by the abdominal exercise programs. These results suggest that abdominal weight machines or traditional incline sit-ups are effective in altering abdominal muscular function, but local abdominal exercise alone is unsatisfactory for reducing stomach skinfolds or girths.