Doing sit-ups improves core muscle strength in healthy adults.

Is it true that doing sit-ups improves core muscle strength in healthy adults?

Partly. The retrieved items only partially address the claim: one study of 13 male Taekwondo students found sit-up counts increased after core training, and a schoolchild study found sit-up tests correlated with plank core strength, while a book title argues against sit-ups for core strength. None directly tests whether doing sit-ups improves core muscle strength in healthy adults.

Verdict: CONTESTED PARTIAL · 3 sources for, 1 against · Last checked 3 Oct 2026

The private library was unavailable for some searches in this check. Missing library results are not evidence against the claim.

Bennie, J. A., Cocker, K. D., Smith, J. J., & Wiesner, G. H. (2020). The epidemiology of muscle-strengthening exercise in Europe: A 28-country comparison including 280,605 adults. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0242220

Sit-ups Are Stupid & Crunches Are Crap: How to Strengthen Your Core, Get Great Abs and Conquer Back Pain Without Doing a Single One!. (2020). ebookcentral.proquest.com. https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/kxp/detail.action?docID=6154628

Lemes, V. & Brand, C. (2023). Disclosing Core Strength: Reliability and Correlations Before and After COVID-19 Pandemic in Plank and Sit-Ups Tests. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3269026/v1

The effect of active core exercise on fitness and foot pressure in Taekwondo club students. (n.d.). cir.nii.ac.jp. https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.27.509