A Critical Analysis of Abdominal Lock: Effects on Mental Clarity and Physical Stability


Authors : Siddappa Naragatti

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 2 - February


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/yu3ax4c3

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/32y5w65f

DOI : https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14965908


Abstract : This paper explores the relationship between physical posture and cognitive function, focusing specifically on the abdominal lock technique. This technique involves consciously contracting the abdominal muscles to stabilize the core and enhance bodily alignment. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the effects of the abdominal lock on mental clarity and physical stability, revealing the physiological foundations of this practice and its implications for mind-body integration. Engaging core muscles is crucial for supporting the spine and facilitating various bodily functions. This study correlates core engagement with cognitive performance, suggesting that a stable physical foundation may enhance mental acuity. A review of the existing literature illustrates the connection between postural stability and neurological functioning, indicating that optimal alignment can improve concentration and reduce mental fatigue. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research incorporates quantitative assessments of cognitive performance before and after abdominal lock implementation, alongside qualitative surveys from practitioners using this technique in various settings. Results indicate a marked improvement in mental clarity and physical stability among participants, emphasizing the reciprocal relationship between mental and physical states. The practical applications of the abdominal lock in daily routines, athletic training, and therapeutic practices are discussed, advocating for its inclusion in wellness programs promoting physical and mental health. Ultimately, this study highlights the significance of the abdominal lock as a vital intersection of mental clarity and physical stability, calling for further interdisciplinary research to enhance our understanding of physical engagement and cognitive enhancement.

Keywords : Abdominal Lock Mental Clarity Body Stability.

References :

  1. Naragatti, S., & Hosakote, V. S. (2024). Exploring the efficacy and mechanisms of Uddiyana Bandha in yoga practice: A scientific evidence-based comprehensive study. International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), 13(9). https://doi.org/10.21275/SR24916105420
  2. Mukhopadhyay, K. (2021). BANDHA (Inner Lock)-MUDRA (Hand Gesture): Essences of optimizing health. International Journal of Advanced Research in Science Communication and Technology6(2), Article 2124. https://doi.org/10.48175/IJARSCT-2124
  3. Omkar, S. N. S., & Vishwas, B. Tech. (2009). Yoga techniques as a means of core stability training. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 13(1), 98-103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2007.10.004
  4. Gibson J. Mindfulness, Interoception, and the Body: A Contemporary Perspective. Front Psychol. 2019 Sep 13;10:2012. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02012. PMID: 31572256; PMCID: PMC6753170.
  5. Hodges PW, Eriksson AE, Shirley D, Gandevia SC. Intra-abdominal pressure increases stiffness of the lumbar spine. J Biomech. 2005 Sep;38(9):1873-80. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2004.08.016. PMID: 16023475.
  6. Stokes IA, Gardner-Morse MG, Henry SM. Abdominal muscle activation increases lumbar spinal stability: analysis of contributions of different muscle groups. Clin Biomech (Bristol). 2011 Oct;26(8):797-803. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2011.04.006. Epub 2011 May 14. PMID: 21571410; PMCID: PMC3157598.
  7. Sharma, A., Bhatnagar, V., Rudani, B., & Bhatnagar, S. K. (2023). A conceptual study on tri bandha: A review. Bhumika Rudani's Lab.
  8. Gibson J. Mindfulness, Interoception, and the Body: A Contemporary Perspective. Front Psychol. 2019 Sep 13;10:2012. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02012. PMID: 31572256; PMCID: PMC6753170.
  9. Luo S, Soh KG, Soh KL, Sun H, Nasiruddin NJM, Du C, Zhai X. Effect of Core Training on Skill Performance Among Athletes: A Systematic Review. Front Physiol. 2022 Jun 6;13:915259. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2022.915259. PMID: 35755428; PMCID: PMC9227831.
  10. Ma, S., Soh, K. G., Japar, S. B., Xu, S., Guo, Z. (2024). Maximizing the performance of badminton athletes through core strength training: Unlocking their full potential using machine learning (ML) modeling. Heliyon10(15), e35145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e35145
  11. Kumar T, Kumar S, Nezamuddin M, Sharma VP. Efficacy of core muscle strengthening exercise in chronic low back pain patients. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2015;28(4):699-707. doi: 10.3233/BMR-140572. PMID: 25467999.
  12. Gard T, Noggle JJ, Park CL, Vago DR, Wilson A. Potential self-regulatory mechanisms of yoga for psychological health. Front Hum Neurosci. 2014 Sep 30;8:770. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2014.00770. PMID: 25368562; PMCID: PMC4179745.
  13. Lynders C. The Critical Role of Development of the Transversus Abdominis in the Prevention and Treatment of Low Back Pain. HSS J. 2019 Oct;15(3):214-220. doi: 10.1007/s11420-019-09717-8. Epub 2019 Aug 29. PMID: 31624475; PMCID: PMC6778169.
  14. Abdallah SJ, Smith BM, Wilkinson-Maitland C, Li PZ, Bourbeau J, Jensen D. Effect of Abdominal Binding on Diaphragmatic Neuromuscular Efficiency, Exertional Breathlessness, and Exercise Endurance in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Front Physiol. 2018 Nov 14;9:1618. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01618. PMID: 30487757; PMCID: PMC6246714.
  15. Zemková E. Strength and Power-Related Measures in Assessing Core Muscle Performance in Sport and Rehabilitation. Front Physiol. 2022 May 2;13:861582. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2022.861582. PMID: 35586718; PMCID: PMC9108269.
  16. Vangelder LH, Hoogenboom BJ, Vaughn DW. A phased rehabilitation protocol for athletes with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2013 Aug;8(4):482-516. PMID: 24175134; PMCID: PMC3812831.
  17. Lim EJ, Hyun EJ. The Impacts of Pilates and Yoga on Health-Promoting Behaviors and Subjective Health Status. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Apr 6;18(7):3802. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18073802. PMID: 33917304; PMCID: PMC8038747.
  18. Oliva-Lozano JM, Muyor JM. Core Muscle Activity During Physical Fitness Exercises: A Systematic Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Jun 16;17(12):4306. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17124306. PMID: 32560185; PMCID: PMC7345922.
  19. de Bruin M, Coetzee D, Schall R. The relationship between core stability and athletic performance in female university athletes. S Afr J Sports Med. 2021 Aug 23;33(1):v33i1a10825. doi: 10.17159/2078-516X/2021/v33i1a10825. PMID: 36816896; PMCID: PMC9924551.
  20. Sharrock C, Cropper J, Mostad J, Johnson M, Malone T. A pilot study of core stability and athletic performance: is there a relationship? Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2011 Jun;6(2):63-74. PMID: 21713228; PMCID: PMC3109894.
  21. Romero-Morales, C., Villafañe, J. H., Torres, U., Miñambres-Martín, D., Pareja-Galeano, H., Rodríguez-Costa, I., & Jiménez-Sáiz, S. L. (2024). Sport-Specific Abdominal Wall Muscle Differences: A Comparative Study of Soccer and Basketball Players Using Ultrasonography. Applied Sciences14(13), 5742. https://doi.org/10.3390/app14135742
  22. Burt LA, Naughton GA, Greene DA, Courteix D, Ducher G. Non-elite gymnastics participation is associated with greater bone strength, muscle size, and function in pre- and early pubertal girls. Osteoporos Int. 2012 Apr;23(4):1277-86. doi: 10.1007/s00198-011-1677-z. Epub 2011 Jun 10. PMID: 21660556.
  23. Huxel Bliven KC, Anderson BE. Core stability training for injury prevention. Sports Health. 2013 Nov;5(6):514-22. doi: 10.1177/1941738113481200. PMID: 24427426; PMCID: PMC3806175.
  24. Cuddy, A., Schultz, J., & Fosse, N. E. (2018). P-curving a more comprehensive body of research on postural feedback reveals clear evidential value for power-posing effects: Reply to Simmons and Simonsohn (2017). Psychological Science, 29(4), 0956797617746749. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797617746749
  25. Bakal D, Coll P, Schaefer J. Somatic awareness in the clinical care of patients with body distress symptoms. Biopsychosoc Med. 2008 Feb 21;2:6. doi: 10.1186/1751-0759-2-6. PMID: 18291028; PMCID: PMC2288613.
  26. Hopper SI, Murray SL, Ferrara LR, Singleton JK. Effectiveness of diaphragmatic breathing for reducing physiological and psychological stress in adults: a quantitative systematic review. JBI Database System Rev Implement Rep. 2019 Sep;17(9):1855-1876. doi: 10.11124/JBISRIR-2017-003848. PMID: 31436595.
  27. Zeidan F, Johnson SK, Diamond BJ, David Z, Goolkasian P. Mindfulness meditation improves cognition: evidence of brief mental training. Conscious Cogn. 2010 Jun;19(2):597-605. doi: 10.1016/j.concog.2010.03.014. Epub 2010 Apr 3. PMID: 20363650.
  28. Govindasamy K, Kaur D, Elayaraja M, Sethi D, Kalidas S, Karmakar D, Orhan BE, Astuti Y, Parpa K. Immediate Effect of Uddiyana Bandha on Heart Rate Variability in Patients with Hypertension: A Randomised Controlled Study. Ann Neurosci. 2024 Dec 12:09727531241299258. doi: 10.1177/09727531241299258. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39678718; PMCID: PMC11638923.
  29. Fincham, G. W., Strauss, C., Montero-Marin, J., & Cavanagh, K. (2023). Effect of breathwork on stress and mental health: A meta-analysis of randomised-controlled trials. Scientific Reports13(1), Article 27247. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-27247-y
  30. Vogler S, Salyer RE, Giacobbi PR. Yoga and Mental Well-being: A Qualitative Exploration of the Lived Experiences of Yoga Practitioners. Int J Yoga. 2023 Sep-Dec;16(3):192-201. doi: 10.4103/ijoy.ijoy_191_23. Epub 2024 Feb 9. PMID: 38463650; PMCID: PMC10919406.
  31. Guetterman TC, Fetters MD, Creswell JW. Integrating Quantitative and Qualitative Results in Health Science Mixed Methods Research Through Joint Displays. Ann Fam Med. 2015 Nov;13(6):554-61. doi: 10.1370/afm.1865. PMID: 26553895; PMCID: PMC4639381.
  32. Guralnik JM, Kritchevsky SB. Translating research to promote healthy aging: the complementary role of longitudinal studies and clinical trials. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2010 Oct;58 Suppl 2(Suppl 2):S337-42. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2010.02938.x. PMID: 21029064; PMCID: PMC3057767.
  33. Hsu SL, Oda H, Shirahata S, Watanabe M, Sasaki M. Effects of core strength training on core stability. J Phys Ther Sci. 2018 Aug;30(8):1014-1018. doi: 10.1589/jpts.30.1014. Epub 2018 Jul 24. PMID: 30154592; PMCID: PMC6110226.
  34. Göz E, Özyürek S, Aktar B, Çolakoğlu BD, Balci B. The effects of Pilates training on abdominal muscle thickness and core endurance in patients with Parkinson's disease: a single-blind controlled clinical study. Turk J Med Sci. 2023 Aug;53(4):990-1000. doi: 10.55730/1300-0144.5663. Epub 2023 Aug 18. PMID: 38031945; PMCID: PMC10760564.
  35. Mamula Nikolić, T., Perić, N., & Bovan, A. (2020). The role of feedback as a management tool in performance management program. Quality - Access to Success, 21(177), 3-8.
  36. Kawabata M, Shima N. Interaction of breathing pattern and posture on abdominal muscle activation and intra-abdominal pressure in healthy individuals: a comparative cross-sectional study. Sci Rep. 2023 Jul 13;13(1):11338. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-37629-5. PMID: 37443166; PMCID: PMC10344968.
  37. Beling J, Roller M. Multifactorial intervention with balance training as a core component among fall-prone older adults. J Geriatr Phys Ther. 2009;32(3):125-33. doi: 10.1519/00139143-200932030-00008. PMID: 20128337.
  38. Cook G, Burton L, Hoogenboom BJ, Voight M. Functional movement screening: the use of fundamental movements as an assessment of function-part 2. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2014 Aug;9(4):549-63. PMID: 25133083; PMCID: PMC4127517.
  39. Saunders DH, Sanderson M, Hayes S, Kilrane M, Greig CA, Brazzelli M, Mead GE. Physical fitness training for stroke patients. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016 Mar 24;3(3):CD003316. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD003316.pub6. Update in: Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020 Mar 20;3:CD003316. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD003316.pub7. PMID: 27010219; PMCID: PMC6464717.
  40. Collado-Mateo D, Lavín-Pérez AM, Peñacoba C, Del Coso J, Leyton-Román M, Luque-Casado A, Gasque P, Fernández-Del-Olmo MÁ, Amado-Alonso D. Key Factors Associated with Adherence to Physical Exercise in Patients with Chronic Diseases and Older Adults: An Umbrella Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Feb 19;18(4):2023. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18042023. PMID: 33669679; PMCID: PMC7922504.

This paper explores the relationship between physical posture and cognitive function, focusing specifically on the abdominal lock technique. This technique involves consciously contracting the abdominal muscles to stabilize the core and enhance bodily alignment. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the effects of the abdominal lock on mental clarity and physical stability, revealing the physiological foundations of this practice and its implications for mind-body integration. Engaging core muscles is crucial for supporting the spine and facilitating various bodily functions. This study correlates core engagement with cognitive performance, suggesting that a stable physical foundation may enhance mental acuity. A review of the existing literature illustrates the connection between postural stability and neurological functioning, indicating that optimal alignment can improve concentration and reduce mental fatigue. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research incorporates quantitative assessments of cognitive performance before and after abdominal lock implementation, alongside qualitative surveys from practitioners using this technique in various settings. Results indicate a marked improvement in mental clarity and physical stability among participants, emphasizing the reciprocal relationship between mental and physical states. The practical applications of the abdominal lock in daily routines, athletic training, and therapeutic practices are discussed, advocating for its inclusion in wellness programs promoting physical and mental health. Ultimately, this study highlights the significance of the abdominal lock as a vital intersection of mental clarity and physical stability, calling for further interdisciplinary research to enhance our understanding of physical engagement and cognitive enhancement.

Keywords : Abdominal Lock Mental Clarity Body Stability.

Never miss an update from Papermashup

Get notified about the latest tutorials and downloads.

Subscribe by Email

Get alerts directly into your inbox after each post and stay updated.
Subscribe
OR

Subscribe by RSS

Add our RSS to your feedreader to get regular updates from us.
Subscribe