Does doing sit-ups help burn fat?

When it comes to reducing belly fat, sit-ups are one of the most popular exercises. In fact, many people believe that simply doing sit-ups diligently every day will gradually eliminate belly fat.

However, the notion that sit-ups help reduce belly fat is incorrect. Modern fitness science has found that burning fat in a specific area through exercise is impossible, according to the health website Healthline (USA).

Crunches are an exercise that helps increase abdominal muscle strength.

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A study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research showed that doing sit-ups for six weeks did not reduce belly fat. However, abdominal muscle strength did improve.

The reason is that when body fat is lost, it decreases uniformly in all areas. When we have a calorie deficit, meaning we burn more calories than we consume, the body will gradually use fat from all over to provide energy. The extent of fat loss in a particular area depends on genetics, hormones, and lifestyle.

Crunches are a muscle-building exercise, not a fat-burning one.

In fact, sit-ups are a muscle-building exercise, not a fat-burning one. They primarily target the abdominal muscles, especially the rectus abdominis, strengthening this area. According to Harvard Health Publishing (USA), an average person weighing around 70 kg only burns about 3-5 calories per minute while doing sit-ups. With such low energy expenditure, sit-ups are unlikely to be an effective exercise for burning calories or reducing overall body fat.

If the goal is to reduce belly fat, doing only sit-ups isn't enough. You need to combine a healthy diet with full-body calorie-burning exercises like cardio or high-intensity training.

Cardio exercises like running and cycling effectively burn calories, while diet is the main factor in determining calorie deficit and fat loss. Abdominal crunches, in this context, play a supporting role, helping to tone the abdominal muscles.

Although not directly burning fat, sit-ups and other abdominal exercises still offer many important benefits. Stronger abdominal muscles improve posture, reduce back pain, and increase mobility.

However, one thing people need to be aware of when doing sit-ups is the risk of injury. Common mistakes when doing sit-ups include overexertion, straining the neck too much, and bending the back incorrectly. These mistakes can lead to neck pain, back pain, or even spinal damage, according to Healthline .

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/gap-bung-co-giup-giam-mo-185250718165544057.htm