Which statement describes abdominal strengthening?

• A. Core includes back muscles and agonist/antagonist pairing
• B. Curl ups are the only exercise recommended
• C. Exhalation occurs in the down position
• D. Abdominal training should be done 1-2 times a week

Answer: (A)

Abdominal strengthening comes from training a balanced trunk where front and back muscles work together to control and stabilize the spine. The abdominal muscles provide flexion and support, while the back muscles act as the opposing force to stabilize and prevent excessive movement. This agonist/antagonist pairing keeps the spine safe during all kinds of movements, which is why simply doing curl-ups isn’t enough for a complete program. A solid approach includes various exercises that train not just flexion but extension, rotation, and overall stability. Breathing matters too: exhaling during the effort phase helps maintain proper intra-abdominal pressure and form, rather than exhaling only in the down position. And abdominal training should be performed more than once or twice a week to build real strength and endurance.