Article

The purpose of this study was to investigate the core muscle activity in a series of balance exercises with different
stability levels and additional elastic resistance.
A descriptive study of
electromyography (EMG) was performed with forty-four healthy subjects that
completed 12 exercises in a random order. Exercises were performed unipedally or
bipedally with or without elastic tubing as resistance on various unstable
(uncontrolled multiaxial and uniaxial movement) and stable surfaces. Surface EMG
on the lumbar multifidus spinae (LM), thoracic multifidus spinae (TM), lumbar
erector spinae (LE), thoracic erector spinae (TE) and gluteus maximus (GM), on
the dominant side of the body were collected to quantify the amount of muscle
activity and were expressed as a % of the maximum voluntary isometric contraction
(MVIC). Significant differences (p<.001) were found between exercises. The three
unipedal standing exercises with additional elastic resistance generated the
greatest EMG values, ranging from 19% MVIC to 30% MVIC. Postural manipulations
with additional elastic resistance and/or unstable devices increase core muscle
activity. An adequate exercise progression based on global core EMG could start
with seated positions, progressing to bipedal standing stance (i.e., from either
multiaxial or stable surface to uniaxial surface). Following this, unipedal
standing positions may be performed (i.e., from either multiaxial or stable
surface to uniaxial surface) and finally, elastic resistance must be added in
order to increase EMG levels (i.e., from stable surface progressing to any of the
used unstable surfaces).
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Langue : ANGLAIS