ACSM Personal Trainer Certification Practice Exam

What movement does the abdominal curl primarily perform?

1. Spinal flexion

2. Spinal extension

3. Spinal rotation

4. Elevation of the pelvis

The correct answer is: Spinal flexion

The abdominal curl primarily performs spinal flexion, which involves bending the spine forward. This movement is primarily facilitated by the rectus abdominis, along with other abdominal muscles. During an abdominal curl, the upper body is lifted towards the knees while the lower back remains on the floor, effectively reducing the angle between the front of the pelvis and the thorax. This type of movement is essential for strengthening the core muscles and improving overall trunk stability, which is crucial for many daily activities and athletic performance. Understanding spinal flexion is important for personal trainers as they guide clients through effective core training exercises while ensuring proper form to reduce the risk of injury. While spinal extension involves straightening the spine and spinal rotation refers to twisting movements of the torso, and elevation of the pelvis mainly engages the hip flexors rather than the abdominals, the emphasis of an abdominal curl is distinctly on flexing the spine.