by Joseph Carslake

Created on: January 19, 2007   Last Updated: April 03, 2007

In the 1980's, there was an extensive series of tests done by the American Surgeon Generals Office, on exercise, specifically the sit-up, and its detrimental side effects on the spinal structure. The test was done, naturally, by the United States Marine Corps.
There were, as in all medical tests, three groups used, 1,000 Marines in each.
The first group used the sit-up, as normal, the second group used crunches as a substitute for the sit-up, along with many other substitutes, and the final group, as normal, did not use either the sit-up, or the substitutes.

There was a great deal of detail written at the time, about the pros and cons of the sit-up, but at the end of the test the results were crystal clear.
The A} Group, using the sit-up were found to have developed many spinal problems, in the short term, and in the long term these minor problems were exacerbated by constant abuse of already damaged weak muscles.
Severe damage was done by the constant pulling against the vertebrae at the Sacroiliac, and also from L3-L4and L5, in more severe cases a cascade had been caused, extending upward, as far as C6, with subsequent injury, and severe muscular pain and soft tissue damage.
In the B} group, who were using crunches and substitutes; there was 75% less occurrence of the same type damage to the spine and soft tissues.
In C} Group, who used neither sit-up, nor substitute, developed poor muscle tone in the abdominal area, and their fitness levels were much slower to develop to the optimum.
On foot of these findings, many Coaching Organizations did their own research, and as a consequence of this, the sit-up among many other so-called therapeutic exercises, was declared a contra-indicated exercise, likely to cause spinal injury if used over even a short period of time.
Other exercises found to be contra indicated were the side lurch, the head rotation, and oddly enough, the push-up, when used by females.
Most Coaching Advisory Bodies issue a list of detrimental exercises on a regular basis, and anyone planning, or already involved in an exercise program, should check to see if the cure is actually going to do mare damage than being a bit overweight.

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