Isometric hip abduction using a Thera-Band alters gluteus maximus muscle activity and the anterior pelvic tilt angle during bridging exercise

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of bridging with isometric hip abduction (IHA) using the Thera-Band on gluteus maximus (GM), hamstring (HAM), and erector spinae (ES) muscle activity; GM/HAM and GM/ES ratios; and the anterior pelvic tilt angle in healthy subjects. Twenty-one subjects participated in this study. Surface EMG was used to collect EMG data of GM, HAM, and ES muscle activities, and Image J software was used to measure anterior pelvic tilt angle. A paired t-test was used to compare GM, HAM, and ES muscle activity; the GM/HAM and GM/ES ratios; and the anterior pelvic tilt angle with and without IHA during the bridging exercise. GM muscle activity increased significantly and the anterior pelvic tilt angle decreased significantly during bridging with IHA using the Thera-Band (p < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the activity of the HAM and ES and the GM/HAM and GM/ES ratios between bridging with and without IHA (p > 0.05). The results of this study suggest that bridging with IHA using the Thera-Band can be implemented as an effective method to facilitate GM muscle activity and reduce the anterior pelvic tilt angle. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.