scholarly journals Ultrasound Evaluation of Muscle Thickness Changes in the External Oblique, Internal Oblique, and Transversus Abdominis Muscles Considering the Influence of Posture and Muscle Contraction

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (9) ◽  
pp. 1399-1402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomoaki Sugaya ◽  
Yota Abe ◽  
Masaaki Sakamoto
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Contraction ◽  
Muscle Thickness ◽  
Transversus Abdominis ◽  
Ultrasound Evaluation ◽  
External Oblique ◽  
Internal Oblique

The effects of curl-up exercise in terms of posture and muscle contraction direction on muscle activity and thickness of trunk muscles

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 857-863
Author(s):  
Sun-Young Ha ◽  
DooChul Shin
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Contraction ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Muscle Thickness ◽  
Transversus Abdominis ◽  
Trunk Muscles ◽  
Abdominal Muscles ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Effective Angle ◽  
External Oblique ◽  
Internal Oblique

BACKGROUND: The curl-up exercise is widely used in clinical practice for strengthening abdominal muscles, but has been applied without a systematic method. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the most effective method considering the angle and muscle contraction direction during the curl-up exercise. METHODS: Fourteen healthy males performed the curl-up exercise according to contraction direction (concentric and eccentric) and angle (30∘, 60∘, and 90∘). The muscle activity of the rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO), and iliopsoas (IP) was measured using electromyography (EMG), and the muscle thickness of transversus abdominis (TrA) was measured using ultrasonography. RESULTS: The activities of the abdominal muscles (RA, EO, and IO) decreased with increasing angles (30∘, 60∘, and 90∘) (p< 0.05). There was no significant difference between eccentric and concentric contractions. The thickness ratio of TrA was the largest at an eccentric curl-up at 30∘, and the smallest at a concentric curl-up at 30∘ (p< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The most effective angle for curl-up was 30∘. Although there is no difference in the direction of muscle contraction, eccentric curl-up at 30∘ could be considered the most effective posture for abdominal strengthening considering the importance of TrA.

scholarly journals Are There Any Differences in Abdominal Activation between Women and Men during Hypopressive Exercises?

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 6984
Author(s):  
Iria Da Cuña-Carrera ◽  
Alejandra Alonso-Calvete ◽  
Eva M. Lantarón-Caeiro ◽  
Mercedes Soto-González
Keyword(s):  
Observational Study ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Muscle Thickness ◽  
Standing Position ◽  
Rectus Abdominis ◽  
Transversus Abdominis ◽  
Abdominal Muscles ◽  
External Oblique ◽  
Internal Oblique ◽  
Significant Activation

This study analyzes the effects of hypopressive exercises on the abdominal thickness of healthy subjects and compares the performance between women and men. We conducted a transversal observational study in 98 subjects (63% women). The muscle thickness is analyzed in transversus abdominis, internal oblique, external oblique, and rectus abdominis with ultrasound imaging at rest and during the hypopressive exercise (HE) in supine and standing position. Comparisons between rest and hypopressive exercise are carried out in the two different positions and between women and men. In the supine position, there is a significant activation of the transversus abdominis and internal oblique during hypopressive exercise (p < 0.001), and it is similar in both sexes, the external oblique is only activated significantly by men (p < 0.001) and rectus abdominis had no significant activation (p > 0.05). Our results show that standing transversus abdominis and external oblique significantly increased their thickness during HE with higher effects in men. Internal oblique also increased significantly, but with higher effects in women, and rectus abdominis had no significant increase. Men had similar effects to women during HE, with an activation of the deepest abdominal muscles. The unequal anatomy and the position could explain the different results obtained between the sexes.

scholarly journals Effect of the Abdominal Draw-In Maneuver and Bracing on Abdominal Muscle Thickness and the Associated Subjective Difficulty in Healthy Individuals

Healthcare ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 496
Author(s):  
Sachiko Madokoro ◽  
Masami Yokogawa ◽  
Hiroichi Miaki
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Thickness ◽  
Abdominal Muscle ◽  
Transversus Abdominis ◽  
Oblique Muscle ◽  
Spinal Stability ◽  
Effective Training ◽  
External Oblique ◽  
Orthopedic Diseases ◽  
Internal Oblique ◽  
Made In

We evaluated the trunk abdominal muscle thickness while performing different exercises to identify the most effective training and to investigate the subjective difficulty associated with exercising. Twenty-eight men (mean age: 21.6 ± 0.9 years) without orthopedic diseases were enrolled. Ultrasonic imaging was used to measure the thickness of the transversus abdominis (TA), internal oblique, and external oblique muscles while at rest and while performing the abdominal draw-in maneuver and abdominal bracing. Measurements were made in the supine and sitting positions, and the subjective difficulty in performing each exercise was examined using a 5-level evaluation scale. The TA and internal oblique muscle thicknesses were significantly greater during the abdominal draw-in maneuver (ADIM) than during bracing or resting, in the supine and sitting positions. The subjective difficulty of abdominal bracing (AB) was graded significantly higher than that of ADIM. Additionally, a correlation between subjective difficulty and muscle thickness was found for the TA and IO. Our results may contribute to the choice of more effective exercises for spinal stability.

scholarly journals How Do the Abdominal Muscles Change during Hypopressive Exercise?

Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (7) ◽  
pp. 702
Author(s):  
Iria Da Cuña-Carrera ◽  
Alejandra Alonso-Calvete ◽  
Mercedes Soto-González ◽  
Eva M. Lantarón-Caeiro
Keyword(s):  
Ultrasound Imaging ◽  
Muscle Thickness ◽  
Standing Position ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Transversus Abdominis ◽  
Abdominal Muscles ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Objective Prior ◽  
External Oblique ◽  
Internal Oblique

Background and objective: Prior studies have reported an activation of abdominal muscles during hypopressive exercises in women with pelvic floor disfunction. However, no previous research analyzed the effects of hypopressive exercise on abdominal muscles in healthy populations to understand the normal biomechanics of this area. The aim of this study was to examine the thickness of abdominal muscles at rest and during hypopressive exercise in supine and standing positions with ultrasound imaging in healthy adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 99 healthy university students. The thickness of the abdominal muscles at rest and during hypopressive exercise was assessed with ultrasound imaging in supine and standing positions. Results: During hypopressive exercise, there was a significant increase in the muscle thickness of transversus abdominis (p < 0.001) and internal oblique (p < 0.001) in supine and standing positions. External oblique only increased its thickness significantly in the standing position (p < 0.001) and rectus abdominis did not change during the hypopressive exercise in any position (p > 0.05). In conclusion, hypopressive exercises seem to increase the thickness of the deepest and most stabilized muscles such as transversus abdominis and internal oblique. Conclusion: These findings should be considered for future interventions with hypopressive exercises in healthy subjects.

scholarly journals Effects of Cesarean Section and Vaginal Delivery on Abdominal Muscles and Fasciae

Medicina ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 56 (6) ◽  
pp. 260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chenglei Fan ◽  
Diego Guidolin ◽  
Serena Ragazzo ◽  
Caterina Fede ◽  
Carmelo Pirri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cesarean Section ◽  
Vaginal Delivery ◽  
Rectus Sheath ◽  
Transversus Abdominis ◽  
Abdominal Muscles ◽  
Linea Alba ◽  
Pain Duration ◽  
External Oblique ◽  
Internal Oblique

Background and objectives: Possible disorders after delivery may interfere with the quality of life. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether abdominal muscles and fasciae differ in women depending on whether they experienced transverse cesarean section (CS) or vaginal delivery (VA) in comparison with healthy nulliparous (NU). Materials and methods: The thicknesses of abdominal muscles and fasciae were evaluated by ultrasound in 13 CS, 10 VA, and 13 NU women (we examined rectus abdominis (RA); external oblique (EO); internal oblique (IO); transversus abdominis (TrA); total abdominal muscles (TAM = EO + IO + TrA); inter-rectus distance (IRD); thickness of linea alba (TLA); rectus sheath (RS), which includes anterior fascia of RS and posterior fascia of RS (P-RS); loose connective tissue between sublayers of P-RS (LCT); abdominal perimuscular fasciae (APF), which includes anterior fascia of EO, fasciae between EO, IO, and TrA, and posterior fascia of TrA). Data on pain intensity, duration, and location were collected. Results: Compared with NU women, CS women had wider IRD (p = 0.004), thinner left RA (p = 0.020), thicker right RS (p = 0.035) and APF (left: p = 0.001; right: p = 0.001), and IO dissymmetry (p = 0.009). VA women had thinner RA (left: p = 0.008, right: p = 0.043) and left TAM (p = 0.024), mainly due to left IO (p = 0.027) and RA dissymmetry (p = 0.035). However, CS women had thicker LCT (left: p = 0.036, right: p < 0.001), APF (left: p = 0.014; right: p = 0.007), and right IO (p = 0.028) than VA women. There were significant correlations between pain duration and the affected fasciae/muscles in CS women. Conclusions: CS women showed significant alterations in both abdominal fasciae and muscle thicknesses, whereas VA women showed alterations mainly in muscles. Thinner RA and/or dissymmetric IO, wider IRD, and thicker LCT and APF after CS may cause muscle deficits and alteration of fascial gliding, which may induce scar, abdominal, low back, and/or pelvic pain.

scholarly journals Surface electromyography comparison of the abdominal hypopressive gymnastics against the prone bridge exercise

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 243-246
Author(s):  
Gonzalo Alfonso Quiroz Sandoval ◽  
Nathalie Tabilo ◽  
Cristóbal Bahamondes ◽  
Pilar Bralic
Keyword(s):  
Abdominal Wall ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Surface Electromyography ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Transversus Abdominis ◽  
Abdominal Pressure ◽  
Abdominal Muscles ◽  
External Oblique ◽  
Internal Oblique

Objectives: Abdominal hypopressive gymnastics (AHG) is a little-researched method designed to train the muscles of the abdominal wall and pelvic floor under low stress. This study’s objective is to compare levels of muscle activation in AHG against prone bridge by surface electromyography (sEMG) of the abdominal wall muscles. Methods: Twenty healthy subjects were enrolled to measure the muscle activity of the rectus abdominis (RA), transversus abdominis/internal oblique (Tra/IO), and external oblique (EO) during three exercises: prone bridge (PB), orthostatic hypopressive (OH), and hypopressive bridge (HB). Root mean square values normalized to the PB (%PB) as a baseline were used to compare the PB against OH and HB. Results: The median PB ratio (%PB) for the Tra/IO showed –10.31% and +59.7% activation during OH and the HB, respectively, whereas the RA showed –77.8% and +19.3% and the EO –39.8% and +9.8%. Significant differences were found for all muscles except the Tra/IO during the OH. Conclusion: This study’s results suggest that hypopressive exercises facilitate the activation of the Tra/IO similar to bridge exercises while simultaneously reducing RA and EO activity. This suggests that hypopressive training is a valid alternative for activating the abdominal muscles, isolating the Tra/IO at low intra-abdominal pressure.

Inhomogeneous response of expiratory muscle activity to cold block of the ventral medullary surface

1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (5) ◽  
pp. 1723-1728 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Chonan ◽  
S. Okabe ◽  
W. Hida ◽  
T. Izumiyama ◽  
Y. Kikuchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transversus Abdominis ◽  
Abdominal Muscles ◽  
Temperature Dependent ◽  
Rib Cage ◽  
Inspiratory Activity ◽  
Ventral Medullary Surface ◽  
Expiratory Muscles ◽  
External Oblique ◽  
Intermediate Part ◽  
Internal Oblique

We assessed the effects of cooling the ventral medullary surface (VMS) on the activity of chest wall and abdominal expiratory muscles in eight anesthetized artificially ventilated dogs after vagotomy and denervation of the carotid sinus nerves. Electromyograms (EMGs) of the triangularis sterni, internal intercostal, abdominal external oblique, abdominal internal oblique, and transversus abdominis muscles were measured with EMG of the diaphragm as an index of inspiratory activity. Bilateral localized cooling (2 x 2 mm) in the thermosensitive intermediate part of the VMS produced temperature-dependent reduction in the EMG of diaphragm and abdominal muscles. The rib cage expiratory EMGs were little affected at 25 degrees C; their amplitudes decreased at lower VMS temperatures (less than 20 degrees C) but by significantly fewer degrees than the diaphragmatic and abdominal expiratory EMGs at a constant VMS temperature. With moderate to severe cooling (less than 20 degrees C) diaphragmatic EMG disappeared, but rib cage expiratory EMGs became tonic and resumed a phasic pattern shortly before the recovery of diaphragmatic EMG during rewarming of the VMS. These results indicate that the effects of cooling the VMS differ between the activity of rib cage and abdominal expiratory muscles. This variability may be due to inhomogeneous inputs from the VMS to expiratory motoneurons or to a different responsiveness of various expiratory motoneurons to the same input either from the VMS or the inspiratory neurons.

Exercising on Different Unstable Surfaces Increases Core Abdominal Muscle Thickness: An Observational Study Using Real-Time Ultrasound

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (8) ◽  
pp. 803-808
Author(s):  
Timothy J. Gibbons ◽  
Marie-Louise Bird
Keyword(s):  
Positive Impact ◽  
Exercise Adherence ◽  
Muscle Thickness ◽  
Abdominal Muscle ◽  
Healthy Adults ◽  
Transversus Abdominis ◽  
Abdominal Muscles ◽  
Linear Modeling ◽  
Internal Oblique ◽  
Ultrasound Investigation

Background: The training of abdominal muscles has a positive impact on the functional capacity of healthy adults, being applied practically in fields of athletics and fitness through rehabilitation for lower back pain. Objective: The study compares abdominal muscle activity while performing graded isometric exercises on stable and unstable surfaces. The authors also examined perceived stability and comfort for the different surfaces. Methods: A total of 30 young, healthy adults performed 3 graded isometric exercises on a Pilates table, foam roller, and Oov (a newly developed tool). Ultrasound investigation measured transversus abdominis, internal oblique abdominis, and external oblique abdominis thickness during each task, comparing muscle thickness between conditions using general linear modeling. Results: Core abdominal activation was greater on the foam roller than the Oov and Pilates table during crook lying (bilateral leg support). Both Oov and foam roller elicited greater contralateral transversus abdominis and internal oblique abdominis thickness than the Pilates table during tabletop and straight leg raises (unilateral leg exercises). For transversus abdominis only, the foam roller elicited more muscle thickness than the Oov during straight leg raises. The Oov was rated more comfortable than the foam roller. Discussion: Exercises performed on the Oov and foam roller elicit core greater abdominal muscle thickness than those performed on a Pilates table. Unilateral leg exercises in a supine position elicit more contralateral muscle thickness than those with bilateral leg support. Conclusions: These results provide information to support choices in exercise progression from flat stable to more unstable surfaces and from those with bilateral foot support to unilateral foot support. The Oov was more comfortable that the foam roller, and this may help with exercise adherence.

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