The Effect of Strength Training Programme in the Enhancement of Trunk and Hip Muscles Activations among Healthy Females Subject

Abstract

Research has illustrated that the risk of lower back pain (LBP) among women population is signi?cantly higher owing to the hormonal and reproductive factors such as irregular or prolonged menstrual cycle and hysterectomy. The trunk and hip muscles are regarded as the most affected muscles in LBP patients and as such precise training of these muscles could be of value to the patients. Diverse exercises programmes exist, yet, the appropriate training that could be suitable in stimulating certain groups of muscles for a specified gender remains a challenge. As a result, this study aims to determine the efficacy of a strength training programme (STTP) in improving and stimulating the trunk and hips muscles of female’s subjects. 25 healthy females with normal BMI and ages range from 19 to 24 years performed five sets of strength exercises three times a week for five weeks. Electromyography (EMG) data were collected from 5 muscles of rectus abdominis, external oblique, multifidus, gluteus maximus and gluteus medius. The readings from the EMG were compared after the five weeks interventions (pre and post). An independent t-test was administered to the data collected to study the effectiveness of the STTP between pre and post on the trained muscles. A statistically significant difference of muscle activations between the pre and post on all the assessed muscles were obtained p < 0.05. The finding suggests that STTP intervention is effective in stimulating the females’ pelvic muscles activations. STTP could be a viable means for prevention and rehabilitation of LBP.