Electromyographic Analysis of Transversus Abdominis and Lumbar Multifidus Using Wire Electrodes During Lumbar Stabilization Exercises

STUDY DESIGN Experimental laboratory study OBJECTIVES To measure trunk muscle activity using wire electrodes during lumbar stabilization exercises and to examine if more effective exercises to activate the deep trunk muscles (local muscles) exist OBJECTIVES To measure trunk muscle activity using wire electrodes during lumbar stabilization exercises and to examine if more effective exercises to activate the deep trunk muscles (local muscles) exist METHODS Nine healthy men with no history of lumbar spine disorders participated in the study Fine wire electrodes were inserted into the transversus abdominis (TrA) and lumbar multifidus bilaterally In addition surface electrodes were attached to the rectus abdominis external obliques and erector spinae bilaterally Electromyographic signal amplitude was measured during the following exercises elbow toe hand knee back bridge side bridge and curl up Two way analyses of variance were used to compare muscle activity level among exercises and between sides for each muscle RESULTS The exercise showing the greatest activity level for the TrA was elbow toe exercise with contralateral arm and leg lift In addition for the TrA a significant side to side difference in activation level was demonstrated for 7 of the 11 exercises that were performed The activity level of the multifidus was greatest during the back bridge exercises The curl up exercise generated the highest activity level for the rectus abdominis and the back bridge with single leg lift exercises generating the highest erector spinae activity CONCLUSIONS The exercises investigated in this study resulted in a wide range of effort level for all 5 muscles monitored Many of the exercises also resulted in an asymmetrical (right versus left side) activation level for a muscle including the TrA J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2010 40(11) 743 750 doi 10.2519/jospt.2010.3192