Rectus abdominis

The rectus abdominis is the paired vertical muscle running down the front of the abdomen from the ribcage to the pubic bone, responsible for flexing the spine and compressing the abdominal contents.

What your rectus abdominis does and where it fits into core function

Your rectus abdominis consists of two columns of muscle separated by the linea alba — the connective tissue band at the midline — and divided horizontally by tendinous intersections that create the visible horizontal bands in a developed abdomen. Its primary function is trunk flexion: bending the spine forward and compressing the abdomen. What it doesn't do particularly well is stabilize the spine during load-bearing, rotation, or the postural demands of daily life — that work falls primarily on the deeper muscles like the transverse abdominis, multifidus, and pelvic floor. An overemphasis on rectus abdominis training through sit-ups and crunches is one of the most common missteps in core rehabilitation, particularly for people with low back pain, diastasis recti, or pelvic floor dysfunction, where those movements can increase symptoms rather than resolve them.

How Sword Health can help

A physical therapist can assess how your core muscles are functioning as a system, identify where the rectus abdominis is being over- or under-recruited, and build a program that trains your core the way your spine actually needs it to work. Sword connects you with that expertise from home, making effective core rehabilitation accessible without a gym or a commute.