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Strength and endurance of the abdominal muscles are important in promoting good posture and correct pelvic alignment. The latter is particularly important in the maintenance of low back health.
In testing and training the muscles of this region it is difficult to isolate the abdominal muscles. It is important to note that when compared to a full sit-up with the feet held, curl-ups do not involve the assistance of the hip flexor muscles and minimizes compression in the spine, when compared to a full sit-up with the feet held.
Objective: To measure abdominal strength by maximum number of curl-ups performed in one minute.
Equipment: Stopwatch, mat, or other clean and cushioned surface.
Testing: Have student lie on cushioned, clean surface with knees flexed and feet about 12 inches from buttocks. Partner holds feet. Arms are crossed with hands placed on opposite shoulders and elbows held close to chest. Keeping this arm position student raises the trunk, curling up to touch elbows to thighs and then lowers the back to the floor so that the scapulas (shoulder blades) touch the floor, for one curl-up. To start, a timer calls the signal "Ready? Go!" and begins timing student for one minute. The student stops on the word "stop."
Rules: "Bouncing" off the floor is not permitted.
Scoring: The number of curl-ups performed correctly in one minute.
Objective: To measure abdominal muscle strength by maximum number of curl-ups in rhythm.
Equipment: Mat or other clean and cushioned surface, marking tape (3" wide for K- 4th grades, and 4'/2" wide for 5th - 12th grades), and a metronome (or audio tape).
Testing: A strip of marking tape 3" (grades K-4) or 4-1/2" (grades 5-12) wide should be placed on the floor. Have student lie on cushioned surface with knees flexed and feet about 12 inches from buttocks. The feet are NOT held or anchored. Arms are extended forward with fingertips at edge of tape. The student's partner is behind the head with hands cupped under the student's head. The student being tested curls up slowly sliding the fingertips past the tape (3 or 4-1/2 inches), then back down until the head touches the partner's hands. The curl-ups are done to a metronome, audio tape, or to the test administrator's "Up, Down" command; with one complete curl-up every three seconds, and are continued until the student has not done the last three in rhythm.
Scoring: Record only those curl-ups done with proper form and in rhythm.
Objective: To measure abdominal strength by maximum number of curl-ups.
Equipment: Mat or other clean and cushioned surface, metronome (or audio tape).
Testing: Have student lie on clean, cushioned surface with knees flexed and feet about 12 inches from buttocks. The feet are NOT held or anchored. Arms are extended forward with fingers resting on the legs and pointing toward the knees. The student's partner is behind the head with hands cupped under the student's head. The student being tested, curls up slowly, sliding the fingers up the legs until the fingertips touch the knees, then back down until the head touches the partner's hands. The curl-ups are done to a metronome (or audio tape), with one complete curl-up every three seconds, and are continued until the student has not done the last three in rhythm.
Scoring: Record only those curl-ups done with proper form and in rhythm.
Rationale: The new partial (abdominal) curl-ups, done slowly with knees bent and feet not held, are a better indicator of the strength and endurance of the abdominal muscles than the times curl-ups.
Appendix A provides the standards to determine if a student is within the
abdominal strength Wellness Zone.
