Mirmohammad R, Minoonejhad H, Sheikhhoseini R. Ultrasonographic Comparison of Deep Lumbopelvic Muscles Activity in Plank Movements on Stable and Unstable Surface. PTJ 2019; 9 (3) :147-152
URL:
http://ptj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-403-en.html
1- Department of Corrective Exercise and Sports Injury, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran.
2- Department of Health and Sports Medicine, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract: (3059 Views)
Purpose: The body core facilitates the transition of forces and moments between the upper and lower extremities in every movement. The present study investigated the differences in the sonographic activity of the deep lumbopelvic muscles during the implementation of plank movements on stable and unstable surfaces.
Methods: In total, 16 female athletes with the Mean±SD age of 23.69±3.57 years, Mean±SD height of 165.12±4.93 cm, and Mean±SD weight of 56.88±5.34 kg participated in this controlled laboratory study. Before the study onset, the Madison Model X8 ultrasound (Made in Korea) with Surface Linear Probe with the frequencies of 7.5 to 10.5 MHz was used to measure the thickness of the internal and external abdominal muscles, quadratus lumborum, and multifidus muscles. Moreover, their thickness was measured while performing front and side plank exercises on stable and unstable surfaces. The Paired Samples t-test was used for data analysis considering α=0.05.
Results: There were no statistically significant differences in the mean diameter changes of the internal and external oblique, quadratus lumborum, and multifidus muscles in the front and side plank positions between the stable and unstable surfaces (P>0.05).
Conclusion: Probably, the shift from stable to unstable position (using Swiss ball) does not change the level of deep core muscles’ activity in female athletes. Furthermore, exercising at each stable and unstable position may have no additional effects on these muscles.
Full-Text [PDF 866 kb]
(1278 Downloads)
| |
Full-Text (HTML) (841 Views)
● Shift from stable to unstable position (using Swiss ball) does not change the level of deep core muscles’ activity in women athletes
● It seems that exercising at each stable and unstable position may have not additional effects on the core muscles.
Plain Language Summary
The body core refers to the total of muscles and lumbopelvic region structures including the lumbar spine, pelvic cavity, and hip joint. The body core resembles a box that the abdominal muscles lie in front of it; the gluteal and para-spinal muscles are in the back; the respiratory diaphragm is located on the top, and the pelvic floor muscles are located in the floor. This area has particular importance in sports because it provides proximal stability for distal mobility. One of the theories about the “core stability” exercises is the use of unstable surfaces in exercises. It has been suggested that decreasing stability during the core stability exercises (such as plank) may be associated with increased lumbosacral muscles activity. This study set to answer to the question whether the ultrasonographic activity of the lumbopelvic muscles in plank on stable and unstable surfaces differs or not? The current research aimed to ultrasonographically compare core muscles activity in front and side plank movements on stable (floor) and unstable (Swiss ball) surfaces. Results indicated that use of Swiss ball, as an unstable surface, cannot result in significant differences in level of activity of the core muscles in two plank movements. Therefore, simple plank and plank on Swiss ball movements can be posssibly used for strengthening abdominal muscles and generally trunk muscles. However, these two positions probably activate or strengthen these muscles in the same way.
Type of Study:
Research |
Subject:
General Received: 2019/02/13 | Accepted: 2019/05/25 | Published: 2019/07/1