There has been some discussion lately among fitness geeks regarding the topic of loaded spinal flexion, or what we call the good ‘ol crunch. The past few years has seen a trend against crunches based on research and experience from some prominent biomechanists, coaches, and physicial therapists.
A recent article on TMuscle.com and the accompaning more technical piece in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning calls into question research saying that crunches cause low back pain. Now that some time has passed on others have addressed questions raised in that piece we have a better discussion going.
Dr. Stuart McGill, one of the world’s leading spinal mechanics researchers who also does double duty as a “in the trenches guy” coaching Olympic athletes, UFC fighters etc… gives his perspective in this excellent audio interview.
Dr. McGill states that first off it’s silly to say one exercise is bad and another good. Rather what matters more is what is best for a particular individual based on risk vs. reward vis a vis their movement quality and capacity.
Dr. McGill testing one of his "patients" lifting stones.
In other words people that sit a lot, which is the vast majority of us, tend to be stuck in postures not so healthy to the spine and associated tissue. Therefore what may be best for many in this population are exercises that restore a natural range of motion, promote spinal stability, strength, and better tissue quality.
But well, rather than blather on here Dr. McGill answers all questions more thoroughly than I could in that interview so please listen to him.
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About the Author:
Owner of Elemental Fitness Lab in Portland, OR. Our approach to training is to integrate research (I'm an NSCA CSCS, certified Functional Movement Screen, and Precision Nutrition) with practical experience. I've studied martial arts in Japan and the U.S. for many years, and have put in my time in the gym, in the water, on the snow, on the rock wall, and on the bike.