Fitness queen Michelle Bridges has been criticised yet again – this time for doing ‘risky’ stomach crunches while pregnant.
Women’s health physiotherapist Lyz Evans made the comments after seeing photos of Bridges doing the exercise on a beach in last month’s edition of New Idea. Writing on the Women in Focus Physiotherapy Facebook page, she warned that the photos were sending the “wrong message” to pregnant women.
"Like many women who have the best of intentions to stay fit in pregnancy, Michelle has fallen prey into the common trap of doing 'crunches' to keep strong abdominals. Sadly, doing this in pregnancy puts undue stress on the linea alba which is the connective tissue between the two sides of the abdominal wall. Overloading the linea alba in pregnancy can result in ' Rectus Abdominus Diastasis' - a condition affecting 66% of women in their third trimester," she wrote.
WATCH Michelle Bridges' other exercises in the video below. Post continues after video...
"If you look closely at Michelle's tummy you will see a triangular shaped doming just above her belly button. This is a clear sign that the linea alba is most definitely being overloaded, and doing this repeatedly can result in permanent tearing of this very important fascia. Not only can this lead to low back pain due to a lack of abdominal support, but there is undoubtedly a strong link with urinary dysfunction," she continued.
