Ab strengthening and hernia prevention

hi all,

like most of you i stretch before and after workouts - for around 10 minutes. For abs i just ly on my front, then push my upper body up from my waist so my legs are still on the floor and my torso is upright, get me?

anyways, after i do pretty intensive ab exercises like body levers or HLL etc..i'll always stretch.

i just wanted to know if there's anything i can do in particular that will help avoiding abdominal hernias? i tense my core in every exercise i do weather it be dips or pullups. i don't have a hernia or ever have had one.

just curious to know, as gymnasts all rely on their cores/abs so much. is it just a case of strengthening the abs/core?

thanks

Having strong lower back is a must, sometimes abs are an overrated element talking about prevention.

A correct ratio between these main core muscles and not exceeding in one's maximal strength/tension capacity during movements is what helps.

thanks for that. so for example - a front lever is as much abs as it is lower back? therefore having a strong lower back, takes pressure off the abs?

You cannot take the abs out of the FL just by having a strong lower back.