When it comes to building up your stomach muscles, you need to focus on all the components that are present. These include the upper abs, lower abs, obliques and a strip of internal muscle called the transversus abdominus (TVA). Even though a...
Tears in the abdominal wall can be a setback in your weight loss goal but it does not mean you cannot lose your abdominal fat. According to the experts at the Mayo Clinic two and a half hours of exercise a week will help you lose your belly. It is...
Your abdominal muscles consist of the outer and inner units that work together to move your torso in different directions and to stabilize your spine and pelvis during movement, explains the National Academy of Sports Medicine. They also absorb...
The thick abdominal muscles, or abs, suffer strains less often than muscles related to the extremities, such as the shoulder or calf muscles. Because the ribs and other supportive tissue protect the abs, acute or sudden strains rarely occur. More...
Your abdominal muscles consist of two primary groups, which are the stabilizers and movers. Stabilizers are the muscles that are closest to your joints and keep your body in balance and in proper alignment when you move. Movers are the muscles...
A deep or superficial pulled abdomen muscle causes pain symptoms in the stomach area that come on suddenly or over time. Patients can distinguish their symptoms from more complex internal health problems by noting the nature and location of pain....
A splenectomy is a surgical procedure during which your spleen is removed. A splenectomy is performed if your spleen is ruptured, infected, contains a tumor or because of certain blood disorders. A splenectomy is performed under general...
An abdominal muscle tear, or strain, can occur from overstretching or overusing the muscle and is a common injury among tennis players. A violent, poorly performed movement of the trunk can also strain the abdominal muscles, suggests the Better...
Spondylolisthesis is a condition in which one of the bones constituting your spine, known as vertebrae, slips forward anteriorly. This can occur for several reasons, including a defect in the vertebrae, repeated backward movements of the spine or,...
A hernia is a condition that occurs as a result of the weakening of your abdominal wall muscles. When this happens, the inner lining of your abdomen can slip through the weakened part of your abdominal muscles and cause pain. This condition most...
Focusing on abdominal exercises is the way to work on getting rid of excess flab around the belly. In addition to regular aerobic or cardio exercise, sit-up exercises work the large muscles of the abdomen, making them tighter, firmer and slimmer....
The muscles that make up your abdomen -- your transverse abdominus, rectus abdominus and the internal and external oblique muscles -- do more than just provide you with a sexy six-pack. They give you the ability to move your upper body through its...
The muscles of your abdomen, the rectus abdominis, transverse abdominis and internal and external obliques, do more than simply provide you with that attractive "V" shape that is so coveted. These muscles help counteract the muscles of your back,...
Having a waist circumference greater than 40 inches can increase a man's risk of developing certain chronic diseases, according to the health information website of the Mayo Clinic. No magic formula for the reduction of belly fat exists. But a...
Listening to all the advertisements out there for fitness centers, you may begin to think that you have to buy a lot of equipment and join a gym to get that lean, sexy look that everybody seems to want these days. The good news is that with just a...
Fitballs, also called fitness or stability balls, serve as an alternative method of strength training. A fitball workout improves your balance and endurance and allows you to sculpt your core muscles --- the muscles in your back, hips and abdomen....
Exercising your abdomen does more than just give you that sexy six pack and "V" shape that everybody seems to want these days. The muscles of your abdomen -- the rectus abdominus, transverse abdominus, and internal and external obliques -- have...
By challenging your abdominal muscles through regular training, you improve core stability and definition of your abdominal muscles. A fitness plan for your abs should work all parts of your abdominal core in several ways. You should vary the...
A flat stomach not only looks attractive but indicates good core strength, which is important in avoiding injuries in your daily activities and maintaining posture. Low body fat percentage combined with isolation exercises that work the muscles of...
Many people work the area around the abdomen by doing crunches or situps expecting to get a flatter stomach, but the opposite is often the case. Working the abdominal muscles with crunches builds the muscle, but crunches alone won't reduce fat in...
Having tight and toned abdominal muscles does more than simply make you desirable to the opposite sex. The muscles of your abdomen--the rectus abdominus, transverse abdominus and internal and external obliques--help protect your internal organs...
Strengthening the core while having a big belly means focus on exercising the three major muscles of the abdomen--the obliques, or love handles; the transverse abdominis, running laterally across the waistline; and the rectus abdominis, running...
Fused vertebrae is a condition where a doctor surgically "welds" together two or more of the bones that make up your spine. This procedure is usually used to help treat conditions that cause a misalignment or deterioration in your spine; it can be...
Flexibility exercises can be a great way to develop range of motion in your joints, but there are benefits that go far beyond just being able to move freely. The muscles of your abdomen are used during nearly every activity you undertake, so it...
Nothing is more irresistible than your pregnant belly, except maybe the bundle of joy it harbors. After your delivery, however, your belly no longer has that aura of adorable. Instead for many women it seems a sad excuse of its former self....
Fat that accumulates around the waist is more dangerous than fat that accumulates on other areas of the body, according to MayoClinic.com. Belly fat may raise the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes, and it can also be indicative...
An exercise ball, or stability ball, is a great way to work on your core strength. By using an exercise ball to do abdominal exercises, you are working your core muscles, which include the muscles in your abdomen, your back and your pelvis. By...
Situps are a classic exercise that strengthen your rectus abdominus, transverse abdominus and obliques -- the three major muscles of your abdomen. Leg climbs are a variation on standard situps that also work the same muscles but are slightly more...
Back extensions are exercises that require you lift your upper body from a prone position and slightly hyperextend your back. You can use these exercises to strengthen the muscles in your lower back as well as the muscles in your abdomen. The...
Abdominal strains can occur during many physical activities and can be managed with rest and by staying in shape. Learn how to treat abdominal strains and stay fit in this sports medicine video.
Hiccups are spasmodic contractions of the diaphragm that typically repeat several times per minute. They are quite common and generally disappear on their own. Learn about the different causes, symptoms, and treatments of hiccups in this video.