2017, Vol. 4, Issue 4, Part C
Electromyographic analysis of exercises proposed for differential activation of rectus abdominis muscle components
Author(s): Pruthviraj R and Paul Daniel VK
Abstract:The main objective of the study is to assess the activation of the upper and lower portions of rectus abdominis muscle during three different abdominal exercises and also to facilitate controlled quantification of segmental difference. Abdominal exercises are usually prescribed for fitness training program and also as a rehabilitation program for low back ache. Movements and stability of trunk are controlled by complex array of different individual muscles. The activation of these Muscles is task specific. There are many abdominal strengthening exercises, but controversy exists about exercises and clinical tests that attempt to differentially activate the Upper and Lower Portion of Rectus Abdominis Muscle. A repeated Measure design was used to analyze the effects of 3 abdominal exercises [Shoulder Curl Up, Leg Raise and Posterior Pelvic tilt Exercises] on the mean EMG amplitude of different portion of rectus abdominis muscle. 30 subjected were selected for study out of which 15 were sedentary subjects [Group A] and 15 were athletes [Group B]. Subjects were with low subcutaneous abdominal fat and normal abdominal muscle strength. Subjects performed 3 task [Shoulder Curl Up, Leg Raise and Posterior Pelvic tilt Exercises] 5-6 trials of each task with 3min rest between task to allow adequate recovery from the effects of fatigue. The pace performance was sounded out by a beep control. Before performing the data analysis the amplitude of each exercises for each component of the Rectus was normalized to the amplitude obtained at the maximum voluntary Isometric contraction performed prior to the exercises movement tasks. The results of the exercises movement task revealed that upper rectus abdominis EMG activity showed statistically significant difference in % MVIC between the three exercises in athlete group conversely the same was not true in sedentary groups. The activation of lower rectus abdominis between the three exercises was statistically not significant for both the groups.
Pages: 153-157 | 1590 Views 380 DownloadsDownload Full Article: Click Here
How to cite this article:
Pruthviraj R, Paul Daniel VK. Electromyographic analysis of exercises proposed for differential activation of rectus abdominis muscle components. Int J Phys Educ Sports Health 2017;4(4):153-157.