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Electromyographic activity of trunk and hip muscles during stabilization exercises in four-point kneeling in healthy volunteers
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Original Article
Electromyographic activity of trunk and hip muscles during stabilization exercises in four-point kneeling in healthy volunteers
Veerle K. Stevens1 , Andry Vleeming2, Katie G. Bouche1, Nele N. Mahieu1, Guy G. Vanderstraeten1 and Lieven A. Danneels1
(1) |
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185, 6K3, 9000 Ghent, Belgium |
(2) |
Spine and Joint Centre, Westerlaan 10, 3016 CK Rotterdam, The Netherlands |
Received: 2 February 2006 Revised: 2 June 2006 Accepted: 15 June 2006 Published online: 1 August 2006
Abstract Stabilization exercises are intended to optimize function of the muscles that are believed to govern trunk stability. Debate
exists whether certain muscles are more important than others in optimally performing these exercises. Thirty healthy volunteers
were asked to perform three frequently prescribed stabilization exercises in four-point kneeling. The electromyographic activity
of different trunk and hip muscles was evaluated. Average amplitudes obtained during the exercises were normalized to the
amplitude in maximal voluntary contraction (% MVIC). During all three exercises, the highest relative muscle activity levels
(> 20% MVIC) were consistently found in the ipsilateral lumbar multifidus and gluteus maximus. During both the single leg
extension (exercise 1) and the leg and arm extension exercise (exercise 2) the contralateral internal oblique and ipsilateral
external oblique reached high levels (> 20%MVIC). During exercise 2 there were also high relative activity levels of the ipsilateral
lumbar part and the contralateral thoracic part of the iliocostalis lumborum and the contralateral lumbar multifidus. During
the leg and arm extension exercise with contralateral hip flexion (exercise 3) there were high relative muscle activity levels
of all back muscles, except for the latissimus dorsi muscle. The lowest relative muscle activity levels (< 10% MVIC) were
found in the rectus abdominis and the ipsilateral internal oblique during all exercises, and in the contralateral gluteus
maximus during exercises 1 and 2. The results of this study show that in exercises in four-point kneeling performed by healthy
subjects, hip and trunk muscles seem to work together in a harmonious way. This shows that when relative activity of muscles
is measured, both “global and local” muscles function together in order to stabilize the spine.
Keywords Stabilization exercise - Trunk and hip muscles - Electromyography
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