Article

OBJECTIVE: To quantify several forms of the curl-up, side-bridge, and birddog
exercises (muscle activity and 3-dimensional [3D] spine position) including some
corrective techniques to assist clinical decision-making. DESIGN: A basic science
study of a convenience sample with a retest of expert intervention. SETTING:
Spine Biomechanics Laboratory/Research Clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Healthy men (N=8)
performed the exercises, and 5 subjects repeated the exercises as an expert
applied corrective techniques. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME
MEASURES: Surface electromyography of selected trunk and hip muscles together
with video analysis and 3D spine posture were collected. RESULTS: Comparison of
muscle activation levels showed there were justifiable progressions in each
exercise form. In general, bracing of the abdominal wall enhanced activation of
the obliques, but different techniques caused migration of muscle activity to
other muscles. Examples of specific findings include the following. Movement
during these traditionally isometric exercises such as drawing squares with the
hand/foot while in the birddog posture enhances activation of many muscle groups.
Breathing while holding the isometric exercises had differing effects on muscle
activation which was exercise dependent. Some corrective exercise techniques,
such as fascial raking, substantially changed relative activation between muscles
in the abdominal wall. CONCLUSIONS: The data presented in this study may be used
to guide the clinical decision process when choosing a specific exercise form
together with selecting the correct starting level, a logical progression,
suitable dosage, and possible corrective technique to enhance tolerance of a
patient.

Langue : ANGLAIS