During the Mermaid exercise, which muscle group is focused on?

The Mermaid exercise primarily emphasizes the engagement of the abdominal muscles, specifically the obliques. This exercise is designed to enhance lateral flexion of the spine and promote core stability, which involves a significant activation of the oblique muscles located on the sides of the abdomen. These muscles play a key role in controlling trunk rotation and providing support during the exercise's movements.

While the other options identify important muscle groups, they are not the primary focus of the Mermaid exercise. The deltoids are mainly involved in shoulder movements, the lats assist with pulling motions and back extension, and the hamstrings are crucial for movements involving the back of the legs and hip flexion. The unique mechanics of the Mermaid exercise, however, revolve around lateral flexion and stabilization, which necessitate strong engagement from the obliques to maintain proper alignment and control during the sequence.