Affiliations: [a] Institute of Health Sciences, St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences, St. Pölten, Austria | [b] Department of Physiotherapy, St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences, St. Pölten, Austria
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Brian Horsak, St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences, Matthias Corvinus Straße 15, 3100 St. Pölten, Austria. Tel.: +43 2742 313 228 587; Fax: +43 2742 313 228 409; E-mail:brian.horsak@fhstp.ac.at
Abstract: BACKGROUND: To ensure accurate implementation of stabilization
exercises in rehabilitation, physical therapists need to understand the
muscle activation patterns of prescribed exercise. OBJECTIVE: Compare muscle activity during eight trunk and lumbar
spine stabilization exercises of the Functional Kinetics concept by
Klein-Vogelbach. METHODS: A controlled laboratory study with a single-group
repeated-measures design was utilized to analyze surface electromyographic
intensities of 14 female and 6 male young healthy participants performing
eight exercises. Data were captured from the rectus abdominis,
external/internal oblique and lumbar paraspinalis. The normalized muscle
activation levels (maximum voluntary isometric contraction, MVIC) for three
repetitions during each exercise and muscle were analyzed. RESULTS: Side bridging (28 ± 20%MVIC) and advanced planking
(29 ± 20%MVIC) reached the highest activity in the rectus abdominis.
For external and internal oblique muscles, side bridging also showed the
greatest activity of 99 ± 36%MVIC and 52 ± 25%MVIC,
respectively. Apart from side bridging (52 ± 14%MVIC), the supine
roll-out (31 ± 12%MVIC) and prone roll-out (31 ± 9%MVIC) showed
the greatest activity for the paraspinalis. The advanced quadruped, seated
back extension and flexion on chair/Swiss Ball, prone roll-out and advanced
one-leg back bridging only yielded negligible muscle activities for the
rectus abdominis (< 5%MVIC). CONCLUSION: Based on the data obtained, recommendations for
selective trunk muscle activation during eight stabilization exercises were
established, which will guide physical therapists in the development of
exercises tailored to the needs of their patients.
