How Do the Abdominal Muscles Change during Hypopressive Exercise?

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.

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

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18136984 ◽

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.

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Ultrasound Imaging of the Abdominal Wall and Trunk Muscles in Patients with Achilles Tendinopathy versus Healthy Participants

Diagnostics ◽

10.3390/diagnostics10010017 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 17 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Carlos Romero-Morales ◽

Pedro Martín-Llantino ◽

César Calvo-Lobo ◽

Marta San-Antolín ◽

Daniel López-López ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ultrasound Imaging ◽

Prediction Models ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Achilles Tendinopathy ◽

Transversus Abdominis ◽

Trunk Muscles ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

External Oblique ◽

Internal Oblique ◽

Healthy Participants

Purpose: To compare and quantify with ultrasound imaging (USI) the inter-recti distance (IRD), rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO), transversus abdominis (TrAb), and multifidus thickness and the RA and multifidus cross-sectional area (CSA) between individuals with and without chronic mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy (AT). Methods: A cross-sectional study. A sample of 143 patients were recruited and divided into two groups: A group comprised of chronic mid-portion AT (n = 71) and B group composed of healthy subjects (n = 72). The IRD, RA, EO, IO, TrAb, and multifidus thickness, as well as RA and multifidus CSA, were measured by USI. Results: USI measurements for the EO (p = 0.001), IO (p = 0.001), TrAb (p = 0.041) and RA (p = 0.001) thickness were decreased as well as IRD (p = 0.001) and multifidus thickness (p = 0.001) and CSA (p = 0.001) were increased for the tendinopathy group with respect the healthy group. Linear regression prediction models (R2 = 0.260 − 0.494; p < 0.05) for the IRD, RA, EO, and IO thickness (R2 = 0.494), as well as multifidus CSA and thickness were determined by weight, height, BMI and AT presence. Conclusions: EO, IO, TrAb, and RA thickness was reduced and IRD, multifidus thickness and CSA were increased in patients with AT.

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

Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation ◽

10.3233/bmr-191558 ◽

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.

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Impact of acute ascites on the action of the canine abdominal muscles

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/japplphysiol.01336.2007 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 104 (6) ◽

pp. 1568-1573 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Dimitri Leduc ◽

André De Troyer

Keyword(s):

Muscle Length ◽

Abdominal Muscle ◽

Transversus Abdominis ◽

Oblique Muscle ◽

Abdominal Muscles ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Control Value ◽

Airway Opening ◽

Internal Oblique ◽

Resting Muscle

Although ascites causes abdominal expansion, its effects on abdominal muscle function are uncertain. In the present study, progressively increasing ascites was induced in supine anesthetized dogs, and the changes in abdominal (ΔPab) and airway opening (ΔPao) pressure obtained during stimulation of the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles were measured; the changes in internal oblique muscle length were also measured. As ascites increased from 0 to 100 ml/kg body wt, Pab and muscle length during relaxation increased. ΔPab also showed a threefold increase ( P < 0.001). However, ΔPao decreased ( P < 0.001). When ascites increased further to 200 ml/kg, resting muscle length continued to increase and muscle shortening during stimulation became very small so that active muscle length was 155% of the resting muscle length in the control condition. Concomitantly, ΔPab returned to the control value, and ΔPao continued to decrease. Similar results were obtained with the animals in the head-up posture, although the decrease in ΔPao appeared only when ascites was greater than 125 ml/kg. It is concluded that 1) ascites adversely affects the expiratory action of the abdominal muscles on the lung; 2) this effect results primarily from the increase in diaphragm elastance; and 3) when ascites is severe, the abdomen cross-sectional area is also increased and the abdominal muscles are excessively lengthened so that their active pressure-generating ability itself is reduced.

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

Medicina ◽

10.3390/medicina56060260 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 56 (6) ◽

pp. 260 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

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.

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

Revista Andaluza de Medicina del Deporte ◽

10.33155/j.ramd.2019.03.010 ◽

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.

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

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/jappl.1991.71.5.1723 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 71 (5) ◽

pp. 1723-1728 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

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.

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

Journal of Sport Rehabilitation ◽

10.1123/jsr.2017-0385 ◽

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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Changes in expiratory muscle function following spinal cord section

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/japplphysiol.00870.2006 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 102 (4) ◽

pp. 1422-1428 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Krzysztof E. Kowalski ◽

Jaroslaw R. Romaniuk ◽

Anthony F. DiMarco

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Transversus Abdominis ◽

Sectional Area ◽

Muscle Weight ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cord Injury ◽

Generating Capacity ◽

Expiratory Muscles ◽

External Oblique ◽

Internal Oblique

Following spinal cord injury, muscles below the level of injury develop variable degrees of disuse atrophy. The present study assessed the physiological changes of the expiratory muscles in a cat model of spinal cord injury. Muscle fiber typing, cross-sectional area, muscle weight, and changes in pressure-generating capacity were assessed in five cats spinalized at the T6 level. Airway pressure (P)-generating capacity was monitored during lower thoracic spinal cord stimulation before and 6 mo after spinalization. These parameters were also assessed in five acute animals, which served as controls. In spinalized animals, P fell from 41 ± l to 28 ± 3 cmH2O (means ± SE; P < 0.001). Muscle weight of the external oblique, internal oblique, transversus abdominis, and internal intercostal muscles decreased significantly ( P < 0.05 for each). Muscle weight of the external oblique, internal oblique, transversus abdominis, and internal intercostal, but not rectus abdominis (RA), correlated linearly with P ( r > 0.7 for each; P < 0.05 for each). Mean muscle fiber cross-sectional area of these muscles was significantly smaller ( P < 0.05 for each; except RA) and also correlated linearly with P ( r > 0.55 for each; P < 0.05 for each, except RA). In spinalized animals, the expiratory muscles demonstrated a significant increase in the population of fast muscle fibers. These results indicate that, following spinalization, 1) the expiratory muscles undergo significant atrophy and fiber-type transformation and 2) the P-generating capacity of the expiratory muscles falls significantly secondary to reductions in muscle mass.

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Posture effects on timing of abdominal muscle activity during stimulated ventilation

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/jappl.1999.86.6.1994 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 86 (6) ◽

pp. 1994-2000 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

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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