Background: Unstable surface-based core training can significantly enhance core strength, but no studies have compared the effects of balance pad- and sling-assisted exercises.
Objects: To study the effects of unstable surface-based balance pad- and sling-assisted core strength exercises on muscle activity.
Methods: Twenty male students aged 20–25 years participated in this study. The effects of three types of core strength exercises, performed with a sling or balance pad, on the activities of three muscles, i.e., the right musculus obliquus externus abdominis (EO), right erector spinae (ES), and right gluteus maximus (GM), were examined.
Results: 1) In the glute bridge exercise, the percentage of maximum voluntary contraction of the EO, ES, and GM were significantly different between the balance pad- and sling-assisted exercises. The relative contribution of the ES and GM activities to all muscle activity were not significantly different between the two training types, whereas that for EO showed a significant difference. 2) There was no significant difference in the percentage value of maximum voluntary contraction (%MVC) among the EO, ES, and GM during the “leg-lifting with flat support”exercise, and there were no significant difference in the relative contributions between the two training types. 3) In the “side bridge leg separation exercise”, the %MVC of the ES, EO, and GM were significantly different between the two training types.
Conclusion: Sling training for core muscles was generally better than balance pad assist training. The majority of physiotherapy patients require core training. Our results could guide physiotherapists in the choice of targeted exercises for these patients.
This present study investigated the effects of the abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) and chin tuck (CT) on middle thoracic erector spinae, lower thoracic erector spinae, and lumbar erector spinae muscle activity during three prone thoracic extension (PTE) exercises. Twelve healthy subjects performed preferred PTE, ADIM PTE, and ADIM-CT PTE. Surface electromyography was used to collect data on the muscle activity of dominant middle and lower thoracic erector spinae muscles and the lumbar erector spinae. Middle and lower thoracic erector spinae muscle activity significantly increased when ADIM and CT was performed (p<.05). However, lumbar erector spinae muscle activity significantly decreased in ADIM PTE compared to preferred PTE (p=.017) and significantly increased in ADIM-CT PTE compared to ADIM PTE (p=.004). In conclusion, ADIM-CT PTE effectively increased middle and lower thoracic erector spinae muscle activity, and ADIM PTE decreased lumbar erector spinae muscle activity. Hence, ADIM PTE could be a recommended exercise maneuver to strengthen thoracic erector spinae without over activation of lumbar erector spinae.