Abdominal Press

Abdominal Press, a group of muscles that constitute the wall of the abdominal cavity. This group includes the rectus muscles (mm. recti abdominis), the external and internal oblique muscles (mm. obliqui externi et interni), and the transverse muscles (mm. transversi abdominis), as well as the diaphragm. With the simultaneous contraction of these muscles (complete or partial), the volume of the abdominal cavity must decrease, which is possible only by expelling the contents of the abdominal cavity organs (stomach, rectum, bladder, and uterus) and compressing the air and other gases present in the intestine. Due to this action of the abdominal press, it tenses during vomiting, with difficult defecation and urination, and during childbirth. In all these cases, to the tonic tension of the involuntary musculature of the gastrointestinal tract, bladder, and uterus is added the contraction of the muscles of the abdominal press. From a professional-hygienic point of view, the activity of the abdominal press is of interest in that when lifting heavy weights, there occurs a sharp contraction of the abdominal press muscles, accompanied by a sudden and strong increase in intra-abdominal pressure (see). With weakness of the abdominal wall, such an increase in intra-abdominal pressure can lead to the formation of hernias (see).