Transversus Abdominus

 

The last muscles to make up the four muscles of the abdominal group, are called the Transversus Abdominus. It's the deepest layer of the four muscles, with fibers that run in a horizontal plane along either side of the trunk connecting to fascia of the lumbar region in back to fascia of the Rectus Abdominus in the front of the body. The main function of this muscle is to provide lumbar spinal stability through compression of the contents of the abdominal cavity during concentric (or shortening) contraction. Think of this muscle as providing a belt that connects to the lumbar spine to the Rectus Abdominus muscles. The exercise that best isolates this muscle for strengthening is called the posterior pelvic tilt which I explain in greater detail in this short video which you can access by clicking here..