Variations in abdominal muscle activities of obese females during abdominal bracing exercise in different body positions

Abstract

Aims
This study evaluated the activities of the Rectus Abdominis (RA) and Transversus Abdominis (TrA) muscles during abdominal bracing exercises (ABE) in different body positions.

Methodology
Electrical activities of both components of the RA and TrA muscles were assessed respectively in 25 obese females via surface electromyography during ABE in four (4) different body positions (crook lying, side lying, standing, and sitting). Each trial lasted for five (5) seconds with an hour rest period between trials.

Results
Electrical activities of each of the right RA (p = 0.008) and TrA (p = 0.001) muscles significantly varied across the four trials. For the left components of the RA (p = 0.243) and TrA (p = 0.332) muscles, no significant differences were observed across trials. The highest muscular activities were recorded during the standing trial while the crook lying position resulted in the least muscular activities.

Conclusion
For the best results, abdominal bracing exercises should be performed in a standing position. The efficacy of adopting these body positions for long-term rehabilitation purposes should be investigated in future studies.