The sit-up is one of the most familiar exercises for the muscles in our abdominal area (mid-section of the body). Research is showing that it may be harmful to overwork one muscle group and can be very harmful to discs in the spine. Using appropriate techniques can help clients prevent injury and remain active over the long-term.

Read the article:
 
"Is Your Ab Workout Hurting Your Back?" New York Times, June 17, 2009, http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/17/core-myths/

Related resources:

"The Man Who Wants to Kill Crunches," Maclean's, January 19, 2010,
http://www2.macleans.ca/2010/01/19/the-man-who-wants-to-kill-crunches/

Stuart McGill's website, Backfitpro: http://www.backfitpro.com/

Stuart McGill's book: Ultimate Back Fitness and Performance, Backfitpro, Inc.: Waterloo, Ontario, 2006.