How to do it
Press the low back into the floor and hold it there while the opposite arm and leg reach out.
Default dose
3 × 10 · each side
This is the library's default dose. Each person's programme is set after assessment, around the grade of their finding and their own conditions and limits.
Muscles involved
- holding still Rectus abdominis, Transversus abdominis, Abdominal obliques
Muscle colours in the animation: orange working, blue stretching, amber holding still. These muscles were measured on the 3D model.
Where it sits in a programme: Activate the weak
The third phase is activation: strengthening a muscle that has become weak or underused, with controlled movement and light load, so it can carry its share of holding the body up.
Which postural findings it is prescribed for
It appears in the example programme on these pages:
Take care
- Osteoporosis — Taken off the programme: Repeated loaded spinal flexion raises the risk of a vertebral compression fracture. The same muscles are trained with the spine held neutral instead.
- Pregnancy — Taken off the programme: After the first trimester, work lying flat on the back and heavy loading of the abdominal midline are not appropriate.
- If the movement causes pain or makes pain worse, stop and contact the clinic or your doctor.
Source
Common practice, no specific study.