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.

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.

Validation and comparison of trunk muscle activities in male participants during exercise using an innovative device and abdominal bracing maneuvers

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Yuki Kurokawa ◽  
Satoshi Kato ◽  
Satoru Demura ◽  
Kazuya Shinmura ◽  
Noriaki Yokogawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Trunk Muscle ◽  
Erector Spinae ◽  
Trunk Muscles ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
External Oblique ◽  
Internal Oblique

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.

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.

scholarly journals Comparison of Core Muscle Activation Between a Prone Bridge and 6-RM Back Squats

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roland van den Tillaar ◽  
Atle Hole Saeterbakken
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Body Height ◽  
Rectus Abdominis ◽  
Erector Spinae ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Exercise Time ◽  
Lower Back ◽  
Total Exercise Time ◽  
External Oblique

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.

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 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
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Surface Emg ◽  
Contralateral Side ◽  
Trunk Muscle ◽  
Rectus Abdominis ◽  
Erector Spinae ◽  
Oblique Muscle ◽  
Ipsilateral Side ◽  
External Oblique ◽  
The One

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.

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.

scholarly journals Effects of Static, Stationary, and Traveling Trunk Exercises on Muscle Activation

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 26
Author(s):  
Darien T. Pyka ◽  
Pablo B. Costa ◽  
Jared W. Coburn ◽  
Lee E. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Random Order ◽  
Rectus Abdominis ◽  
Erector Spinae ◽  
Trunk Muscles ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Strength And Conditioning ◽  
Allied Health Professionals ◽  
External Oblique

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.

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.

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