Hip and Core Muscle Activation During High-Load Core Stabilization Exercises

Abstract

Background: There is some evidence that high-load lumbar stabilization exercises, such as back bridge, can recruit both local and global muscles. Hypothesis: Therapeutic exercises would optimize gluteus maximus (GMax), gluteus medius (GMed), multifidus (MF), and transversus abdominis (TrA) activation, while minimizing the activation of the tensor fascia latae (TFL) and erector spinae (ES) muscles in healthy individuals. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Research laboratory. Level of Evidence: Level 4. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, surface electromyography (EMG) of GMax, GMed, TFL, TrA, MF, and ES was used to quantify the gluteal-to-TFL muscle activation (GTA) index and a ratio of local to global (L/G) lumbar muscles during (1) the elbow-toe exercise in the prone position, (2) the elbow-toe with right left lifted, (3) the hand-knee with left arm and right leg lifted, (4) the back bridge, (5) the back bridge with right leg lifted, (6) the back bridge with left leg lifted, (7) the side bridge with left leg lifted, (8) the side bridge with right leg lifted, and (9) the elbow-toe with right leg horizontally lifted exercises in healthy individuals (20 men, 20 women; age, 25 ± 4 years). Results: The back bridge exercise with left leg lift generated the highest L/G muscles activity ratio (L/G = 3.35) while the hand-knee exercise yielded the lowest L/G muscles activity ratio (L/G = 1.21). The side bridge exercise with left elbow and foot and lifting the right leg (GTA = 63.78), hand-knee exercise (GTA = 49.62), back bridge (GTA = 28.05), and elbow-toe exercise with left leg horizontally lifted (GTA = 23.02) generated the highest GTA indices, respectively. Meanwhile, the normalized EMG amplitude for GMax was significantly less than the TFL, for elbow-toe exercise ( P < 0.001), back bridge with left leg lift ( P = 0.001), side bridge exercise with the right elbow and foot and lifting the left leg ( P = 0.002), and elbow-toe exercise with right leg horizontally lifted ( P < 0.001). Conclusion: The highest GTA indexes were observed during (1) the side bridge lifting the dominant leg and (2) the hand-knee horizontally lifting dominant leg, respectively. The L/G ratio was highest during (1) the back bridge lifting nondominant leg, (2) back bridge, and (3) back bridge lifting dominant leg, respectively. This study supports the use of back bridge exercises to strengthen the MF and side bridges to improve gluteal muscle activation. Clinical Relevance: The highest GTA index was observed in the side bridge lifting the right leg. Highest L/G ratio was in the back bridge with nondominant leg lifted. This study supports the use of back bridge exercises to strengthen the MF. This study supports the use of side bridges to improve gluteal muscle activation.

The Application of Surface Electromyography Technology in Evaluating Paraspinal Muscle Function

“…Khosrokiani et al assessed the influence of therapeutic exercises to paraspinal muscles. The result suggested that the use of back bridge exercises strengthened the multifidus muscles [ 62 ]. Mello et al evaluated the EMG activity of the lumbar multifidus and erector spinae muscles, in both the time and frequency domains, while performing the back bridge exercises.…”

Correlation of functional anatomy of hip musculature with yogic postures- Narrative review

“…The high to very high activation levels found indicates that both of these poses have the potential to provide strengthening stimuli. 23 Mullerpatan et al studied the muscle activation of Surya namaskar and they found the gluteus maximus muscle activation is higher in the Ashwa Sanchalanasana (Low lunge pose) about 38.5% MVC in Poses 9 and 4 24,25 shown that GTA (gluteal to TFL muscle activation index) significantly higher on the side bridge lifting the dominant leg and side bridges exercise improve the gluteal muscle activation. ( 26) quantify the muscle activation patterns of Rectus abdominis (RA), External oblique (EO), Erector spinae (ES), Lumbar multifidus (LM), Gmax, and tensor fasciae lata (TFL) during Side sling plank (SSP) with three different hip rotation compared to side lying hip abduction (SHA) exercise in the subject with the GluMed weakness.…”

Effects of Lumbar Stabilization Exercises on Isokinetic Strength and Muscle Tension in Sedentary Men

“…Notably, as the primary muscle responsible for lumbar stabilization, the erector spinae muscle (ESM) is known to provide direct protection and support to the spine; the basic bearing required for static and dynamic stability during walking, running, and maintaining posture is given by the ESM [ 11 , 12 ]. The reduced physical functions due to insufficient physical activities can be improved through lumbar stabilization exercises (LSE), and such exercises as the curl-up, bird-dog, bridge, and side-crunch are effective in improving physical functions based on the high-level activity of the lumbar erector spinae (LS) muscles [ 13 , 14 , 15 ].…”