Which stabilizer muscles are predominantly activated when the body is immersed in water?

When the body is immersed in water, the core stabilizer muscles are predominantly activated due to the unique environment that water provides. The buoyancy of water supports the body and reduces the effects of gravity, which requires the core muscles to engage in order to maintain posture, balance, and stability.

Core stabilizers, including the transverse abdominis, rectus abdominis, obliques, and multifidus, work to stabilize the spine and pelvis, especially when performing movements or exercises in water. The resistance of water also encourages the engagement of these muscles more intensely as they work to stabilize the body against the flowing and shifting resistance of the water.

In contrast, while leg, shoulder, and hip stabilizers also play important roles in various activities, their primary engagement would occur in different contexts or exercises outside of water immersion, where the focus shifts primarily to stabilization from the core. This is why core stabilizers are specifically highlighted in the context of being submerged in water.