scholarly journals Trunk Muscle Activity in One- and Two-Armed American Kettlebell Swing in Resistance-Trained Men

2019 ◽  
Vol 03 (01) ◽  
pp. E12-E18
Author(s):  
Vidar Andersen ◽  
Marius Fimland ◽  
Atle Saeterbakken

AbstractThe aim of the study was to compare the one-armed vs. two-armed American kettlebell swing on trunk muscle activation. Fifteen resistance-trained men performed ten repetitions of both exercises using a 14-kg kettlebell. Surface EMG from the erector spinae, rectus abdominis and external oblique muscles were collected on both sides of the trunk. The erector spinae activation during the one-armed swing was 14–25% higher on the contralateral compared to the ipsilateral side in both exercises (Cohen’s d effect size [ES]=0.41–0.71, p ˂ 0.001–0.034). Further, the contralateral side was 14% more activated during the two-armed swing compared to the ipsilateral side during the one-armed swing (ES=0.43, p=0.009). For the rectus abdominis muscle, the two-armed swing induced higher activation of the rectus abdominis compared to the one-armed swing on both the contralateral (40%, ES=0.48, p=0.040) and ipsilateral side (59%, ES=0.83, p=0.002). There were no differences for the external oblique muscle (p=0.495–0.662). In conclusion, the trunk activation patterns of the two exercises were different, which could be explained by different biomechanics in the two exercises, and could thus have complimentary effects. We recommend that both unilateral and bilateral execution of the American kettlebell swing is included over time.

Author(s):  
Yuki Kurokawa ◽  
Satoshi Kato ◽  
Satoru Demura ◽  
Kazuya Shinmura ◽  
Noriaki Yokogawa ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Abdominal bracing is effective in strengthening the trunk muscles; however, assessing performance can be challenging. We created a device for performing abdominal trunk muscle exercises. The effectiveness of this device has not yet been evaluated or compared OBJECTIVE: We aimed to quantify muscle activity levels during exercise using our innovative device and to compare them with muscle activation during abdominal bracing maneuvers. METHODS: This study included 10 men who performed abdominal bracing exercises and exercises using our device. We measured surface electromyogram (EMG) activities of the rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique, internal oblique (IO), and erector spinae (ES) muscles in each of the exercises. The EMG data were normalized to those recorded during maximal voluntary contraction (%EMGmax). RESULTS: During the bracing exercise, the %EMGmax of IO was significantly higher than that of RA and ES (p< 0.05), whereas during the exercises using the device, the %EMGmax of IO was significantly higher than that of ES (p< 0.05). No significant difference was observed in the %EMGmax of any muscle between bracing exercises and the exercises using the device (p= 0.13–0.95). CONCLUSIONS: The use of our innovative device results in comparable activation to that observed during abdominal bracing.


2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roland van den Tillaar ◽  
Atle Hole Saeterbakken

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to compare core muscle activation during a prone bridge (plank) until failure and 6-RM back squats. Twelve resistance-trained males (age 23.5 ± 2.6 years, body mass 87.8 ± 21.3 kg, body height 1.81 ± 0.08 m) participated in this study. Total exercise time and EMG activity of the rectus abdominis, external abdominal oblique and erector spinae were measured during 6-RM back squats and a prone bridge with a weight of 20% of participants’ body mass on their lower back. The main findings showed non-significant differences between the exercises in the rectus abdominis or external oblique, but greater erector spinae activation in squatting. Furthermore, in contrast to the prone bridge, the erector spinae and rectus abdominis demonstrated increasing muscle activation throughout the repetitions while squatting, whereas the prone bride demonstrated increasing external oblique activation between the beginning and the middle of the set. It was concluded that since squatting resulted in greater erector spine activation, but similar rectus abdominis and oblique external activation as the prone bridge, high-intensity squats rather than isometric low intensity core exercises for athletes would be recommended.


2017 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Cugliari ◽  
Gennaro Boccia

AbstractA quantitative observational laboratory study was conducted to characterize and classify core training exercises executed in a suspension modality on the base of muscle activation. In a prospective single-group repeated measures design, seventeen active male participants performed four suspension exercises typically associated with core training (roll-out, bodysaw, pike and knee-tuck). Surface electromyographic signals were recorded from lower and upper parts of rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, lower and upper parts of erector spinae muscles using concentric bipolar electrodes. The average rectified values of electromyographic signals were normalized with respect to individual maximum voluntary isometric contraction of each muscle. Roll-out exercise showed the highest activation of rectus abdominis and oblique muscles compared to the other exercises. The rectus abdominis and external oblique reached an activation higher than 60% of the maximal voluntary contraction (or very close to that threshold, 55%) in roll-out and bodysaw exercises. Findings from this study allow the selection of suspension core training exercises on the basis of quantitative information about the activation of muscles of interest. Roll-out and bodysaw exercises can be considered as suitable for strength training of rectus abdominis and external oblique muscles.


Author(s):  
Darien T. Pyka ◽  
Pablo B. Costa ◽  
Jared W. Coburn ◽  
Lee E. Brown

Background: A new fitness trend incorporates stability exercises that challenges trunk muscles and introduces crawling as an exercise, but has yet to be investigated for muscle activity. Purpose: To compare the effects of static (STA), stationary (STN), and traveling (TRV) trunk exercises on muscle activation of the rectus abdominis, rectus femoris, external oblique, and erector spinae using surface electromyography (EMG). Methods: Seventeen recreationally active women (mean age ± SD = 22.4 ± 2.4 years, body mass 62.9 ± 6.9 kg, height 165.1 ± 5.8 cm) and twenty-three men (23.6 ±3.9 years, 83.2 ±17.1 kg, 177.1 ± 9.1 cm) volunteered to participate in this study. Subjects performed maximal voluntary contractions for normalization of each muscle’s EMG activity. They then performed the three exercises in random order for thirty seconds each with a two-minute rest in between. Results: For the rectus abdominis, STA was significantly lower than STN (P = 0.003) and TRV (P = 0.001). For the external oblique, STA was significantly lower than STN (P = 0.001) and TRV (P = 0.001) and STN was significantly greater than TRV (P = 0.009). For the erector spinae and rectus femoris, STA was significantly lower than STN (P = 0.001) and TRV (P = 0.001) Conclusions: There was greater muscle activation in all muscles tested in the stationary and traveling exercises versus the static. Strength and conditioning coaches and allied health professionals could potentially use stationary and traveling forms of trunk stabilization exercises as a viable strategy to increase muscle activation.


1992 ◽  
Vol 36 (10) ◽  
pp. 752-756
Author(s):  
Steven A. Lavender ◽  
Yang-Hwei Tsuang ◽  
Gunnar B.J. Andersson

The present investigation describes the electromyographic (EMG) response of eight trunk muscles during the application of loads to the torso while subjects maintained a twisted posture. The external moments of 20 and 40 Nm were applied to a harness system as each of the 10 subjects twisted 25 degrees. The applied moment direction was varied in 3 0 degree increments completely around the subjects (0 to 33 0 degrees). Surface EMG was used to monitor the left and right Latissimus Dorsi, Erector Spinae, External Oblique, and Rectus Abdominus. Multivariate and univariate analyses of variance (MANOVA and ANOVA) procedures showed significant main effects for all muscles and a significant moment magnitude by moment direction interaction effect in 6 of the 8 muscles. The greatest muscle activity was observed in the right Erector Spinae and the left External Oblique muscles. The results are also compared with an earlier study in which a similar loading paradigm was used as subject maintained a neutral upright posture.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
I-Hsuan Chen ◽  
Pei-Jung Liang ◽  
Valeria Jia-Yi Chiu ◽  
Shu-Chun Lee

Recent evidence indicates that turning difficulty may correlate with trunk control; however, surface electromyography has not been used to explore trunk muscle activity during turning after stroke. This study investigated trunk muscle activation patterns during standing turns in healthy controls (HCs) and patients with stroke with turning difficulty (TD) and no TD (NTD). The participants with stroke were divided into two groups according to the 180° turning duration and number of steps to determine the presence of TD. The activation patterns of the bilateral external oblique and erector spinae muscles of all the participants were recorded during 90° standing turns. A total of 14 HCs, 14 patients with TD, and 14 patients with NTD were recruited. The duration and number of steps in the turning of the TD group were greater than those of the HCs, independent of the turning direction. However, the NTD group had a significantly longer turning duration than did the HC group only toward the paretic side. Their performance was similar when turning toward the non-paretic side; this result is consistent with electromyographic findings. Both TD and NTD groups demonstrated increased amplitudes of trunk muscles compared with the HC groups. Their trunk muscles failed to maintain consistent amplitudes during the entire movement of standing turns in the direction that they required more time or steps to turn toward (i.e., turning in either direction for the TD group and turning toward the paretic side for the NTD group). Patients with stroke had augmented activation of trunk muscles during turning. When patients with TD turned toward either direction and when patients with NTD turned toward the paretic side, the flexible adaptations and selective actions of trunk muscles observed in the HCs were absent. Such distinct activation patterns during turning may contribute to poor turning performance and elevate the risk of falling. Our findings provide insights into the contribution and importance of trunk muscles during turning and the association with TD after stroke. These findings may help guide the development of more effective rehabilitation therapies that target specific muscles for those with TD.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 102-111
Author(s):  
Farideh Babakhani ◽  

Objective Numerous abdominal exercises with Swiss ball are used to improve core stability with strengthening and rehabilitation goals. It is claimed that the stability exercises have a greater impact on core muscle activation, but the validity of this claim is still in doubt. Moreover, there is no comprehensive study on the comparison of the core muscles activity in different core stability exercises. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the Electromyography (EMG) activity of core muscles while performing side plank on stable and unstable (Swiss ball) surfaces. Methods Fifteen male students of Allameh Tabataba’i University were selected for the study based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The EMG activity of gluteus medius, rectus abdominis, external oblique, and internal oblique muscles in subjects was recorded while performing side plank exercise on a fixed surface and a Swiss ball (2 sets of 5 seconds with a 30-second rest interval). Results There was a significant difference in the EMG activity of gluteus medius, external oblique and rectus abdominis muscles between two conditions of with and without Swiss ball (P<0.05), but no significant difference was observed in the EMG activity of internal oblique muscle (P>0.05). Conclusion Side plank exercise on the unstable surfaces (Swiss balls) can cause changes in the EMG activity of gluteus medius, rectus abdominis and external oblique muscles compared to when the exercise is performed on stable surfaces, and highly involved the pelvic lumbar muscles effective in maintaining core stability. Therefore, the use of side plank exercise on unstable conditions in a progressive program with gradually increased intensity is recommended which can be effective in strengthening and applying effective muscle contractions useful for core stability.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Toru Shirahata ◽  
Hideaki Sato ◽  
Sanehiro Yogi ◽  
Kaiji Inoue ◽  
Mamoru Niitsu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Physical inactivity due to cachexia and muscle wasting is well recognized as a sign of poor prognosis in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, there have been no reports on the relationship between trunk muscle measurements and energy expenditure parameters, such as the total energy expenditure (TEE) and physical activity level (PAL), in COPD. In this study, we investigated the associations of computed tomography (CT)-derived muscle area and density measurements with clinical parameters, including TEE and PAL, in patients with or at risk for COPD, and examined whether these muscle measurements serve as an indicator of TEE and PAL. Methods The study population consisted of 36 male patients with (n = 28, stage 1–4) and at risk for (n = 8) COPD aged over 50 years. TEE was measured by the doubly labeled water method, and PAL was calculated as the TEE/basal metabolic rate estimated by the indirect method. The cross-sectional areas and densities of the pectoralis muscles, rectus abdominis muscles, and erector spinae muscles were measured. We evaluated the relationship between these muscle measurements and clinical outcomes, including body composition, lung function, muscle strength, TEE, and PAL. Results All the muscle areas were significantly associated with TEE, severity of emphysema, and body composition indices such as body mass index, fat-free mass, and trunk muscle mass. All trunk muscle densities were correlated with PAL. The product of the rectus abdominis muscle area and density showed the highest association with TEE (r = 0.732) and PAL (r = 0.578). Several trunk muscle measurements showed significant correlations with maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures, indicating their roles in respiration. Conclusions CT-derived measurements for trunk muscles are helpful in evaluating physical status and function in patients with or at risk for COPD. Particularly, trunk muscle evaluation may be a useful marker reflecting TEE and PAL.


Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (19) ◽  
pp. 6646
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Toner ◽  
Jeremy Rickards ◽  
Kenneth Seaman ◽  
Usha Kuruganti

Previous research identifies that pushing and pulling is responsible for approximately 9–18% of all low back injuries. Additionally, the handle design of a cart being pushed can dramatically alter a worker’s capacity to push (≅9.5%). Surprisingly little research has examined muscle activation of the low back and its role in muscle function. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of handle design combination of pushing a platform truck cart on trunk muscle activity. Twenty participants (10 males and 10 females, mean age = 24.3 ± 4.3 years) pushed 475 lbs using six different handle combinations involving handle orientation (vertical/horizontal/semi-pronated) and handle height (hip/shoulder). Multichannel high-density EMG (HDsEMG) was recorded for left and right rectus abdominis, erector spinae, and external obliques. Pushing at hip height with a horizontal handle orientation design (HH) resulted in significantly less (p < 0.05) muscle activity compared to the majority of other handle designs, as well as a significantly higher entropy than the shoulder handle height involving either the semi-pronated (p = 0.023) or vertical handle orientation (p = 0.028). The current research suggests that the combination of a hip height and horizontal orientation handle design may require increased muscle demand of the trunk and alter the overall muscle heterogeneity and pattern of the muscle activity.


1992 ◽  
Vol 36 (10) ◽  
pp. 742-746
Author(s):  
Christopher A. Hamrick ◽  
Sean Gallagher

Trunk muscle activity of twelve healthy males with coal mining experience was examined while each subject lifted a box under various conditions. The independent variables were four levels of posture (kneeling, stooped under a 1.2 m roof, stooped under a 1.6 m roof, and standing), height to which the box was lifted (35 cm or 70 cm), and weight of the lifting box (15 kg, 20 kg, or 25 kg). The dependent variables were the peak EMG values recorded during a lift for each of eight trunk muscles (left and right erectores spinae, left and right latissimus dorsi, left and right external oblique, and left and right rectus abdominis). Posture and weight of lift significantly affected peak activity of the left and right erectores spinae, the left and right latissimus dorsi muscles, and the right external oblique muscle. The latissimus dorsi muscle activity was highest in the low stooping posture, and was lowest in the kneeling posture, while erectores spinae activity was highest in the kneeling posture and decreased as the trunk became more flexed. Thus, the muscle activity during lifting tasks is affected by restricting a worker's posture. Consequently, many lifting guidelines and recommendations currently in use may not be directly applicable to work being performed in restricted postures.


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