To improve abdominal muscles strengthening, double straight leg lowering (DSLL) has been widely used in physical therapy, fitness program, and athletic program. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the lumbar stabilization maneuver with a pressure biofeedback unit on the muscle activity of rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), and internal oblique (IO) during DSLL. Fourteen healthy young men were recruited from university population. The electromyography (EMG) activity was recorded from the RA, EO, and IO of both sides. The normalized EMG activity was compared using a paired t-test. The study showed that EMG activity in the RA, EO, and IO was significantly higher during DSLL with lumbar stabilization (DSLL-LS) compared to performed DSLL (p<.05). These results suggest that DSLL-LS is recommended as an effective method for strengthening exercise for the abdominal muscles.

• Sung-min Ha(Dept. of Rehabilitation Therapy, The Graduate School, Yonsei University)
• Won-hwee Lee(Dept. of Rehabilitation Therapy, The Graduate School, Yonsei University)
• Jae-seop Oh(Dept. of Rehabilitation Therapy, The Graduate School, Yonsei University)
• Jong-hyuck Weon(Dept. of Rehabilitation Therapy, The Graduate School, Yonsei University)
• Heon-seock Cynn(Dept. of Physical Therapy, Hanseo University)
• Oh-yun Kwon(Dept. of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Yonsei University, Institute of Health Science, Yonsei University) Corresponding author