The effects of abdominal hollowing and bracing on abdominal muscle thicknesses and pelvic rotation during active straight leg raise

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Eun-Joo Jung ◽  
Jin-Wook Sung ◽  
In-Joon Uh ◽  
Jae-Seop Oh
Keyword(s):  
Rotation Angle ◽  
Muscle Thickness ◽  
Abdominal Muscle ◽  
Abdominal Muscles ◽  
Pelvic Rotation ◽  
Maximum Benefit ◽  
Correct Execution ◽  
External Oblique ◽  
Straight Leg Raise ◽  
Internal Oblique

BACKGROUND: Active straight leg-raise (ASLR) is often performed to strengthen abdominal muscles. The correct execution and maximum benefit of the ASLR can be achieved using abdominal hollowing (AH) and abdominal bracing (AB) exercises. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of AH and AB on transverse abdominis (TrA), internal oblique, and external oblique thicknesses, as well as on the pelvic rotation angle, in healthy women during active ASLR. METHODS: The participants in this study were assigned randomly to either the AH (n= 15) or AB groups (n= 15). During ASLR, abdominal muscle thickness was measured using ultrasound and pelvic rotation was measured using a Smart KEMA device. Each trial was repeated three times for 5 s each. RESULTS: The thickness of the TrA was significantly greater during ASLR with AH than during ASLR with AB (p< 0.001). In contrast, there was no respective significant change in the thickness of the external oblique (p> 0.0.311) or internal oblique (p> 0.818). Pelvic rotation angle was significantly reduced during ASLR with AB, compared with ASLR with AH (p< 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: We recommend that AH be performed for the selective contraction of TrA during ASLR, and that AB be performed for the prevention of the pelvic rotation during ASLR. Therefore, AH and AB should be separately done in stabilization exercises.

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.

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.

Mechanical response to hyperinflation of the two abdominal muscle layers

1989 ◽  
Vol 66 (5) ◽  
pp. 2189-2195 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Leevers ◽  
J. D. Road
Keyword(s):  
Functional Residual Capacity ◽  
Muscle Length ◽  
Abdominal Muscle ◽  
Transversus Abdominis ◽  
Abdominal Muscles ◽  
Lung Inflation ◽  
Residual Capacity ◽  
Length Changes ◽  
External Oblique ◽  
Internal Oblique

Abdominal muscle length changes and activity were directly examined in vivo with the use of the techniques of sonomicrometry and electromyography, respectively, in nine supine anesthetized dogs. Expiratory threshold loading was utilized to stimulate recruitment of the abdominal muscles, and lung inflations produced the passive relationships. The internal layer, consisting of the internal oblique and transversus abdominis, shortened more in expiration than the external layer, consisting of the external oblique and rectus abdominis. The internal oblique shortened to approximately 83% of its length at functional residual capacity vs. 98% for the external oblique (P less than 0.05). The results obtained during passive lung inflation indicate these internal muscles are also more influenced by changes in lung volume. The internal oblique lengthened to 115% of its length at functional residual capacity vs. 103% for external oblique at total lung capacity (P less than 0.05). The results suggest that anatomic division of the abdominal muscles into external and internal layers corresponds to functional differences in terms of both passive lengthening and active shortening during ventilation and that these differences imply variable functions of the two layers.

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 Breathing Exercise Called the Maximal Abdominal Contraction Maneuver

Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 129
Author(s):  
Jung Won Kwon ◽  
Seo Yoon Park ◽  
Ki Hyun Baek ◽  
Kyoungsoo Youk ◽  
Seunghue Oh
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Muscle Thickness ◽  
Abdominal Muscle ◽  
Experimental Comparison ◽  
Ultrasound Images ◽  
Breathing Exercise ◽  
Transverse Abdominis ◽  
External Oblique ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Internal Oblique

Background and objectives: The maximal abdominal contraction maneuver (MACM) was designed as an effective and efficient breathing exercise to increase the stability of the spinal joint. However, it has not been determined whether MACM is more effective and efficient than the maximal expiration method. Thus, the present study was undertaken to investigate whole abdominal muscle thickness changes after MACM. Materials and Methods: Thirty healthy subjects (17 males and 13 females) participated in this study. An experimental comparison between MACM and the maximal expiration task was conducted by measuring the change of abdominal muscle thickness such as the transverse abdominis (TrA), internal oblique (IO), external oblique (EO) and rectus abdominis (RA) using ultrasound images. Results: The results indicated that MACM resulted in significantly greater muscle thickness increases of the TrA and RA than the maximal expiration exercise (p < 0.05). Conclusion: MACM provided better exercise than the maximal expiration exercise in terms of increasing spine stability, at least from a co-contraction perspective.

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.

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.

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.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document