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.

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.

scholarly journals Recovery of Abdominal Muscle Thickness and Contractile Function in Women after Childbirth

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 2130
Author(s):  
Mako Fukano ◽  
Yuka Tsukahara ◽  
Seira Takei ◽  
Sayaka Nose-Ogura ◽  
Tomoyuki Fujii ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Contractile Function ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Muscle Thickness ◽  
Recovery Process ◽  
Abdominal Muscle ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Abdominal Muscles ◽  
Ultrasound Images ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Transverse Abdominis

Abdominal muscles may be both morphologically and functionally affected by pregnancy. Dysfunction of the muscles can lead to persistent postpartum low back pain. The recovery process of the abdominal muscles following childbirth is not well understood. This study aimed to demonstrate the changes in the thickness and contractile function of abdominal muscles during the first six months postpartum. Nine perinatal and 15 nulliparous females participated. The thicknesses and contraction/relaxation thickness ratios of the rectus abdominis (RA), external abdominal oblique (EO), internal abdominal oblique (IO), and transverse abdominis (TrA) were measured using ultrasound images from 36–39 weeks’ gestation until six months postpartum. The RA, IO, and TrA muscles were thinner in perinatal females than controls at 36–39 weeks of gestation (4.8 vs. 9.47 mm (RA), 5.45 vs. 7.73 mm (IO), 2.56 vs. 3.38 mm (TrA), respectively). The thinner IO muscle persisted for six months after delivery. The decreased TrA thickness ratio persisted until four months post-delivery. Abdominal muscle thickness and contractile function decreased in the postpartum period. Therefore, abdominal muscle exercises might help prevent postpartum symptoms; however, because deterioration of muscle function is significant in the first four months, careful attention should be paid to exercise intensity. The study limitation was a relatively small sample size, thus future studies should involve more participants.

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 Changes in Abdominal Muscle Thickness in Standing and Seated Positions, with and without an Abdominal Belt, in Healthy Subjects

2010 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 265-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tadamitsu MATSUDA ◽  
Akira TAKANASHI ◽  
Kotomi SHIOTA ◽  
Shigeki MIYAJIMA ◽  
Yoshiharu NOGITA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Muscle Thickness ◽  
Abdominal Muscle

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.

scholarly journals Ultrasonography Method of Deep Cervical Muscles and Thickness Measurement Reliability in Cervicogenic Headache and Healthy Subjects:APilot Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omolbanin Abaspour ◽  
Mohammad Akbari ◽  
Asghar Rezasoltani
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Muscle Thickness ◽  
Cervicogenic Headache ◽  
Thickness Measurement ◽  
Neck Muscle ◽  
Ultrasound Images ◽  
Intraclass Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Linear Probe

Introduction: In Cervicogenic Headache (CGH), motor control of muscles is impaired and deep upper neck muscles (extensor and flexor muscles) become atrophied. In this research, thickness measurement of Longus Capitis (LCap), Rectus Capitis Posterior Major (RCPM), and Obliquus Capitis Superior (OCS) muscles were conducted and intra-rater reliability of the thickness measurement of these muscles was assessed in CGH and healthy subjects. Materials and Methods: Twenty subjects, including 10 healthy subjects (19-32 years old) and 10 CGH patients (20-35 years old) participated in this study. LCap thickness was measured at the level of C3-C4 in the supine position and posterior muscles (RCPM and OCS) thickness at the C1-C2 level in the sitting position. All ultrasound images were captured by a linear probe with a 50-mm footprint in B mode option and frequency range of 9-12 Hz. Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC), Standard Error Of Measurement (SEM), and the Smallest Detectable Difference (SDD) were calculated for data analysis. Results: The ICC for thickness measurement of LCap was from 0.70 to 0.91 (good to excellent), for RCPM thickness was from 0.69 to 0.94 and for OCS muscle thickness was from 0.87 to 0.98. SEM values for LCap were between 0.08 and 0.25 and the SDD values between 0.22 and 0.71. SEM values for RCPM were between 0.22 and 0.43 and these values were reported for OCS muscle between 0.19 and 0.45. Conclusion: The results indicated that the presented position and the level of ultrasonography in this study are appropriate and ultrasound is a reliable tool to measure the deep upper neck muscle thickness in CGH and healthy subjects.

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.

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