scholarly journals Quantification of the Differences in Electromyographic Activity Magnitude Between the Upper and Lower Portions of the Rectus Abdominis Muscle During Selected Trunk Exercises

2001 ◽  
Vol 81 (5) ◽  
pp. 1096-1101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory J Lehman ◽  
Stuart M McGill
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Abdominal Muscle ◽  
Rectus Abdominis ◽  
Oblique Muscle ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Electromyographic Activity ◽  
Rectus Abdominis Muscle ◽  
Emg Signal ◽  
External Oblique Muscle ◽  
External Oblique

Abstract Background and Purpose. Controversy exists around exercises and clinical tests that attempt to differentially activate the upper or lower portions of the rectus abdominis muscle. The purpose of this study was to assess the activation of the upper and lower portions of the rectus abdominis muscle during a variety of abdominal muscle contractions. Subjects. Subjects (N=11) were selected from a university population for athletic ability and low subcutaneous fat to optimize electromyographic (EMG) signal collection. Methods. Controlling for spine curvature, range of motion, and posture (and, therefore, muscle length), EMG activity of the external oblique muscle and upper and lower portions of rectus abdominis muscle was measured during the isometric portion of curl-ups, abdominal muscle lifts, leg raises, and restricted or attempted leg raises and curl-ups. A one-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to test for differences in activity between exercises in the external oblique and rectus abdominis muscles as well as between the portions of the rectus abdominis muscle. Results. No differences in muscle activity were found between the upper and lower portions of the rectus abdominis muscle within and between exercises. External oblique muscle activity, however, showed differences between exercises. Discussion and Conclusion. Normalizing the EMG signal led the authors to believe that the differences between the portions of the rectus abdominis muscle are small and may lack clinical or therapeutic relevance.

scholarly journals Abdominal Muscle Response During Curl-ups on Both Stable and Labile Surfaces

2000 ◽  
Vol 80 (6) ◽  
pp. 564-569 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco J Vera-Garcia ◽  
Sylvain G Grenier ◽  
Stuart M McGill
Keyword(s):  
Control System ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Abdominal Muscle ◽  
Oblique Muscle ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Rectus Abdominis Muscle ◽  
External Oblique Muscle ◽  
Motor Control System ◽  
The Subject ◽  
External Oblique

Abstract Background and Purpose. With the current interest in stability training for the injured low back, the use of labile (movable) surfaces, underneath the subject, to challenge the motor control system is becoming more popular. Little is known about the modulating effects of these surfaces on muscle activity. The purpose of this study was to establish the degree of modulating influence of the type of surface (whether stable or labile) on the mechanics of the abdominal wall. In this study, the amplitude of muscle activity together with the way that the muscles coactivated due to the type of surface under the subject were of interest. Subjects. Eight men (mean age=23.3 years [SD=4.3], mean height=177.6 cm [SD=3.4], mean weight=72.6 kg [SD=8.7]) volunteered to participate in the study. All subjects were in good health and reported no incidence of acute or chronic low back injury or prolonged back pain prior to this experiment. Methods. All subjects were requested to perform 4 different curl-up exercises—1 on a stable surface and the other 3 on varying labile surfaces. Electromyographic signals were recorded from 4 different abdominal sites on the right and left sides of the body and normalized to maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) amplitudes. Results. Performing curl-up exercises on labile surfaces increased abdominal muscle activity (eg, for curl-up on a stable surface, rectus abdominis muscle activity was 21% of MVC and external oblique muscle activity was 5% of MVC; for curl-up with the upper torso on a labile ball, rectus abdominis muscle activity was 35% of MVC and external oblique muscle activity was 10% of MVC). Furthermore, it appears that increases in external oblique muscle activity were larger than those of other abdominal muscles. Conclusion and Discussion. Performing curl-ups on labile surfaces changes both the level of muscle activity and the way that the muscles coactivate to stabilize the spine and the whole body. This finding suggests a much higher demand on the motor control system, which may be desirable for specific stages in a rehabilitation program.

scholarly journals Electromyographic Analysis of Traditional and Nontraditional Abdominal Exercises: Implications for Rehabilitation and Training

2006 ◽  
Vol 86 (5) ◽  
pp. 656-671 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael F Escamilla ◽  
Eric Babb ◽  
Ryan DeWitt ◽  
Patrick Jew ◽  
Peter Kelleher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Latissimus Dorsi ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Rectus Abdominis ◽  
Oblique Muscle ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Internal Oblique ◽  
Rectus Femoris Muscle ◽  
Femoris Muscle ◽  
Roll Out

Abstract Background and Purpose. Performing nontraditional abdominal exercises with devices such as abdominal straps, the Power Wheel, and the Ab Revolutionizer has been suggested as a way to activate abdominal and extraneous (nonabdominal) musculature as effectively as more traditional abdominal exercises, such as the crunch and bent-knee sit-up. The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of traditional and nontraditional abdominal exercises in activating abdominal and extraneous musculature. Subjects. Twenty-one men and women who were healthy and between 23 and 43 years of age were recruited for this study. Methods. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to assess muscle activity from the upper and lower rectus abdominis, external and internal oblique, rectus femoris, latissimus dorsi, and lumbar paraspinal muscles while each exercise was performed. The EMG data were normalized to maximum voluntary muscle contractions. Differences in muscle activity were assessed by a 1-way, repeated-measures analysis of variance. Results. Upper and lower rectus abdominis, internal oblique, and latissimus dorsi muscle EMG activity were highest for the Power Wheel (pike, knee-up, and roll-out), hanging knee-up with straps, and reverse crunch inclined 30 degrees. External oblique muscle EMG activity was highest for the Power Wheel (pike, knee-up, and roll-out) and hanging knee-up with straps. Rectus femoris muscle EMG activity was highest for the Power Wheel (pike and knee-up), reverse crunch inclined 30 degrees, and bent-knee sit-up. Lumbar paraspinal muscle EMG activity was low and similar among exercises. Discussion and Conclusion. The Power Wheel (pike, knee-up, and roll-out), hanging knee-up with straps, and reverse crunch inclined 30 degrees not only were the most effective exercises in activating abdominal musculature but also were the most effective in activating extraneous musculature. The relatively high rectus femoris muscle activity obtained with the Power Wheel (pike and knee-up), reverse crunch inclined 30 degrees, and bent-knee sit-up may be problematic for some people with low back problems.

scholarly journals Core Muscle Activity during Physical Fitness Exercises: A Systematic Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (12) ◽  
pp. 4306 ◽  
Author(s):  
José M. Oliva-Lozano ◽  
José M. Muyor
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Rectus Abdominis ◽  
Core Stability ◽  
Erector Spinae ◽  
Transversus Abdominis ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Electromyographic Activity ◽  
Lumbar Multifidus ◽  
External Oblique

The aim of this study was to systematically review the current literature on the electromyographic (EMG) activity of six core muscles (the rectus abdominis, the internal and external oblique, the transversus abdominis, the lumbar multifidus, and the erector spinae) during core physical fitness exercises in healthy adults. A systematic review of the literature was conducted on the Cochrane, EBSCO, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science electronic databases for studies from January 2012 to March 2020. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (a) the full text available in English; (b) a cross-sectional or longitudinal (experimental or cohorts) study design; (c) the reporting of electromyographic activity as a percentage of maximum voluntary contraction (% MVIC), millivolts or microvolts; (d) an analysis of the rectus abdominis (RA), transversus abdominis (TA), lumbar multifidus (MUL), erector spinae (ES), and the internal (IO) or external oblique (EO); (e) an analysis of physical fitness exercises for core training; and (f) healthy adult participants. The main findings indicate that the greatest activity of the RA, EO, and ES muscles was found in free-weight exercises. The greatest IO activity was observed in core stability exercises, while traditional exercises showed the greatest MUL activation. However, a lack of research regarding TA activation during core physical fitness exercises was revealed, in addition to a lack of consistency between the studies when applying methods to measure EMG activity.

Posture effects on timing of abdominal muscle activity during stimulated ventilation

1999 ◽  
Vol 86 (6) ◽  
pp. 1994-2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tadashi Abe ◽  
Takumi Yamada ◽  
Tomoyuki Tomita ◽  
Paul A. Easton
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Moving Average ◽  
Abdominal Muscle ◽  
Transversus Abdominis ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Abdominal Muscles ◽  
External Oblique ◽  
End Tidal ◽  
Internal Oblique

In humans during stimulated ventilation, substantial abdominal muscle activity extends into the following inspiration as postexpiratory expiratory activity (PEEA) and commences again during late inspiration as preexpiratory expiratory activity (PREA). We hypothesized that the timing of PEEA and PREA would be changed systematically by posture. Fine-wire electrodes were inserted into the rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, and transversus abdominis in nine awake subjects. Airflow, end-tidal CO2, and moving average electromyogram (EMG) signals were recorded during resting and CO2-stimulated ventilation in both supine and standing postures. Phasic expiratory EMG activity (tidal EMG) of the four abdominal muscles at any level of CO2 stimulation was greater while standing. Abdominal muscle activities during inspiration, PEEA, and PREA, were observed with CO2stimulation, both supine and standing. Change in posture had a significant effect on intrabreath timing of expiratory muscle activation at any level of CO2stimulation. The transversus abdominis showed a significant increase in PEEA and a significant decrease in PREA while subjects were standing; similar changes were seen in the internal oblique. We conclude that changes in posture are associated with significant changes in phasic expiratory activity of the four abdominal muscles, with systematic changes in the timing of abdominal muscle activity during early and late inspiration.

Abdominal muscle activity during hypercapnia in awake dogs

1994 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 1393-1398 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Leevers ◽  
J. D. Road
Keyword(s):  
Tidal Volume ◽  
Muscle Layer ◽  
Abdominal Muscle ◽  
Rectus Abdominis ◽  
Transversus Abdominis ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Abdominal Muscles ◽  
Co2 Rebreathing ◽  
External Oblique ◽  
Internal Oblique

We previously found the internal abdominal muscle layer to be preferentially recruited during expiratory threshold loading in anesthetized and awake dogs. Expiratory threshold loading increases end-expiratory lung volume and hence can activate reflex pathways such as tonic vagal reflexes, which could influence abdominal muscle recruitment. Our objectives in the present study were to determine the effects of hypercapnia on abdominal muscle activation and the pattern of recruitment in awake dogs. Five tracheotomized dogs were chronically implanted with sonomicrometer transducers and fine-wire electromyogram (EMG) electrodes in each of the four abdominal muscles: transversus abdominis, internal oblique, external oblique, and rectus abdominis. Muscle length changes and EMG activity were studied in the awake dog at rest and during CO2 rebreathing. CO2 rebreathing produced a tripling of tidal volume and activation of the abdominal muscles. Despite the increase in tidal volume, there was no significant change in abdominal muscle end-inspiratory length. Both tonic and phasic expiratory shortening were greater in the internal muscle layer (transversus abdominis and internal oblique) than in the external muscle layer (external oblique and rectus abdominis). We conclude that the internal abdominal muscles are preferentially recruited by hypercapnia and vagal reflexes probably do not contribute to this differential recruitment but that segmental reflexes may be involved. The mechanical consequences of this recruitment are discussed.

scholarly journals Abdominal muscles activity during abdominal bracing and posterior pelvic tilt in women after natural birth and after caesarean delivery

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Kuciel ◽  
Justyna Mazurek ◽  
Karolina Biernat ◽  
Łukasz Pawik ◽  
Edyta Sutkowska
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Pelvic Tilt ◽  
Abdominal Muscle ◽  
Rectus Abdominis ◽  
Transversus Abdominis ◽  
Abdominal Muscles ◽  
Electromyographic Activity ◽  
Locomotor System ◽  
Natural Birth ◽  
Functional Examination

Purpose: Exercises after pregnancy can reduce the severity and risk of postnatal locomotor system disorders and muscular dysfunctions. The aim of the study was to evaluate electromyographic activity of abdominal muscles in women who gave birth naturally and via a caesarean section, and to compare it to a group of women who have never given birth. Methods: 27 women were included into the study after completing the personal questionnaire and functional examination. The surface electromyography during abdominal bracing and posterior pelvic tilt was used to test rectus abdominis muscles and internus oblique/ transversus abdominis muscles bilaterally. After normalization test, patients were asked to perform abdominal bracing and posterior pelvic tilt exercises. Results: Activity of rectus abdominis muscle is higher in posterior pelvic tilt compared to abdominal bracing. It should be noted that the internus oblique/transversus abdominis muscle activity in both exercises is similar. Conclusions: In women after natural birth and after a cesarean section who experienced no locomotor system symptoms, no statistically significant differences in abdominal muscle activity in both exercises were observed. In each group being studied, posterior pelvic tilt activated rectus abdominis muscles to a greater extent than just bracing.

Responses of the anterolateral abdominal muscles during cough and expiratory threshold loading in the cat

2000 ◽  
Vol 88 (4) ◽  
pp. 1207-1214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald C. Bolser ◽  
Paul J. Reier ◽  
Paul W. Davenport
Keyword(s):  
Abdominal Muscle ◽  
Rectus Abdominis ◽  
Transversus Abdominis ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Abdominal Muscles ◽  
Cough Reflex ◽  
Gastric Pressure ◽  
Simultaneous Activation ◽  
External Oblique ◽  
Internal Oblique

The present study was conducted to determine the pattern of activation of the anterolateral abdominal muscles during the cough reflex. Electromyograms (EMGs) of the rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, transversus abdominis, and parasternal muscles were recorded along with gastric pressure in anesthetized cats. Cough was produced by mechanical stimulation of the lumen of the intrathoracic trachea or larynx. The pattern of EMG activation of these muscles during cough was compared with that during graded expiratory threshold loading (ETL; 1–30 cmH2O). ETL elicited differential recruitment of abdominal muscle EMG activity (transversus abdominis > internal oblique > rectus abdominis ≅ external oblique). In contrast, both laryngeal and tracheobronchial cough resulted in simultaneous activation of all four anterolateral abdominal muscles with peak EMG amplitudes 3- to 10-fold greater than those observed during the largest ETL. Gastric pressures during laryngeal and tracheobronchial cough were at least eightfold greater than those produced by the largest ETL. These results suggest that, unlike their behavior during expiratory loading, the anterolateral abdominal muscles act as a unit during cough.

Effect of hypercapnia and PEEP on expiratory muscle EMG and shortening

1989 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 1408-1413 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Oliven ◽  
S. G. Kelsen
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Activity ◽  
Abdominal Muscle ◽  
Rectus Abdominis ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Expiratory Muscle ◽  
Integrated Emg ◽  
Length Changes ◽  
Expiratory Muscles ◽  
External Oblique ◽  
Spontaneously Breathing

The present study examined the effects of hypercapnia and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) on the electromyographic (EMG) activity and tidal length changes of the expiratory muscles in 12 anesthetized, spontaneously breathing dogs. The integrated EMG activity of both abdominal (external oblique, internal oblique, rectus abdominis, and transverse abdominis) and thoracic (triangularis sterni, internal intercostal) expiratory muscles increased linearly with increasing PCO2 and PEEP. However, with both hypercapnia and PEEP, the percent increase in abdominal muscle electrical activity exceeded that of thoracic expiratory muscle activity. Both hypercapnia and PEEP increased the tidal shortening of the external oblique and rectus abdominis muscles. Changes in tidal length correlated closely with simultaneous increases in muscle electrical activity. However, during both hypercapnia and PEEP, length changes of the external oblique were significantly greater than those of the rectus abdominis. We conclude that both progressive hypercapnia and PEEP increase the electrical activity of all expiratory muscles and augment their tidal shortening but produce quantitatively different responses in the several expiratory muscles.

scholarly journals Comparing the Electromyography Activity of Core Muscles During Side Plank Exercise on Stable and Unstable Surfaces

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 102-111
Author(s):  
Farideh Babakhani ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Gluteus Medius ◽  
Rectus Abdominis ◽  
Core Stability ◽  
Oblique Muscle ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
External Oblique ◽  
Internal Oblique ◽  
Swiss Ball

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.

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