Abdominal Strengthening Research Articles

Effects of combining thoracic lymphatic pump technique and exercises on patients with chronic mechanical low back pain

Purpose. The study aimed to compare the effects of combining thoracic lymphatic pump technique (TLPT) and exercises versus exercises alone on pain intensity, lumbar spine mobility, and functional disability in patients with chronic mechanical low back pain (CMLBP), the second most common orthopedic condition. Methods. Fifty-two CMLBP patients, whose mean age was 25 years, were classified into 2 equal groups randomly. Group (A) received exercises (hamstring stretching, lower back stretching, abdominal strengthening, and trunk extensor strengthening). Group (B) received the same exercises plus the thoracic lymphatic pump technique. Both groups received 12 sessions on nonconsecutive days. All patients were evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain intensity, the Modified-Modified Schober test (MMST) for lumbar mobility (flexion-extension), and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for functional disability. Assessments were performed prior to and after the end of treatment. For data analysis, the unpaired t-test, chi-squared test, and mixed MANOVA test were used. Results. The study found significant improvements in pain intensity, lumbar mobility (flexion, extension), and functional disability in both groups (P < 0.05), with no significant difference in pain intensity or lumbar spine mobility. However, group (B) had a statistically significant advantage in functional disability (P < 0.05). Conclusion. The addition of the thoracic lymphatic pump technique to therapeutic exercises significantly enhances pain, lumbar spine mobility, and functional abilities in CMLBP patients than therapeutic exercises alone.

Effects of Lumbar Stabilization Exercise with Abdominal Strengthening Exercise in Improving Trunk Stability for Patients with Stroke

Effects of Lumbar Stabilization Exercise with Abdominal Strengthening Exercise in Improving Trunk Stability for Patients with Stroke

Conservative Treatments of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Physical Therapists' Perspectives.

This study aimed to examine physical therapists' perspectives in conservative treatments of pediatric patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). A cross-sectional survey design was used. A validated questionnaire was distributed to physical therapists, and the responses were analyzed. Preferred treatment frequency was 60 minutes (53.8%), twice weekly (41.5%), over 3 to 5 months (44.6%). Top 3 clinical interventions were core and trunk stability enhancement (90.8%), abdominal strengthening (83.1%), and postural correction (80.0%). Top 3 therapeutic goal-setting parameters were activity-based (78.5%), quality-of-life measure-based (56.9%), and participation-based (50.8%). The most common quality-of-life survey used was Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire (15.6%) followed by Scoliosis Research Society-22 instrument (12.5%). According to our data, physical therapists believe that pediatric patients with AIS can benefit with addressing core and trunk stability, a 60-minute per session, twice weekly, over 3 to 5 months based on activity-based goal-setting and quality-of-life measures using Oswestry questionnaire.

Efficacy of Vibrapole Abdominal Strengthening Exercises on Strength in Healthy Young Individuals: An Experimental Study

Objective: To analyze and compare the effects of Vibrapole exercises and elastic band exercises on abdominal strength in young healthy individuals. Material and Methods: In this experimental study, 80 healthy, young individuals between the age groups of 18-24 were screened and recruited and then allocated into 2 groups. Group A- abdominal strengthening exercise using vibrapole (n= 40) and Group B- abdominal strengthening exercise using an elastic band (n=40). The intervention was administered for 3 days/week, for 4 weeks to both groups. Progression was adjusted after 2 weeks, by increasing repetitions of exercises from 10 to 20. Outcome measures, including: surface Electromyography (EMG), pressure biofeedback and 7 stage sit-up test, were assessed pre and post-intervention. The analysis was performed with a 95% confidence interval. Results: Group A and B showed significant improvement (p-value<0.001) when analyzed individually for surface EMG, pressure biofeedback and 7-stage sit-up test. Group A showed more improvement in abdominal strength than group B in surface EMG (Mean Difference–Group A: 159.27+48.84 and Group B 126.32+39.96) and in 7-stage sit-up test (Mean Difference–Group A: 2.12+0.64 and Group B 1.67+0.57) as p-value<0.01. Pressure Biofeedback showed non-significant differences among the groups (p-value=0.2201). Conclusion: This study concludes that strengthening exercises using Vibrapole was more effective in increasing abdominal muscle strength than elastic band exercises. Hence Vibrapole can be used by physiotherapists as an effective tool to improve abdominal strength.

Pengaruh Metode Latihan Plyometric Vertical, Horizontal dan Kekuatan Otot Perut Terhadap Peningkatan Lompat Jauh di Kabupaten Kendal

The coaching is carried out routinely and structured, with the methods applied by the coach, the results of initial observations show that the jumps of PASI athletes in Kendal Regency, 8 athletes have 4 meters jumps and 11 athletes have less than 4 meters jumps. Therefore, programmed training is needed to improve the jumping ability of PASI athletes in Kendal Regency. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of vertical, horizontal plyometric training methods and abdominal muscle strength on increasing the long jump in Kendal Regency. The sample in this study were 20 athletes from PASI Kendal Regency. The sampling technique used was total sampling technique while the data analysis technique used was statistical analysis technique using SPSS data statistical analysis assistance. The result of increasing the plyometric training method is 5.63% lower than the result of increasing the abdominal muscle strengthening exercise of 11.52%.
 The coaching is carried out routinely and structured, with the methods applied by the coach, the results of initial observations show that the jumps of PASI athletes in Kendal Regency, 8 athletes have 4 meters jumps and 11 athletes have less than 4 meters jumps. Therefore, programmed training is needed to improve the jumping ability of PASI athletes in Kendal Regency. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of vertical, horizontal plyometric training methods and abdominal muscle strength on increasing the long jump in Kendal Regency. The sample in this study were 20 athletes from PASI Kendal Regency. The sampling technique used was total sampling technique while the data analysis technique used was statistical analysis technique using SPSS data statistical analysis assistance. The result of increasing the plyometric training method is 5.63% lower than the result of increasing the abdominal muscle strengthening exercise of 11.52%.

Polymethylmethacrylate injections for augmentation and strengthening of abdominal muscles: an experimental model

Introduction: Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is a synthetic, inert, biocompatible and nontoxic polymer, the applications in the medical field are numerous, and indications are increasingly broad. Objectives: To evaluate whether the fibrous response to injection of PMMA microspheres into striated muscles confers increased volume and resistance to muscle stretch. Methods: A total of 20 Wistar rats were injected with, 30% PMMA gel into the right rectus abdominis muscle, while the left rectus muscle received SHAM injections. After 4 weeks, all abdominal rectus muscles were measured and stretched on a bench dynamometer until rupture. The samples were analyzed histologically to verify the tissue response to PMMA. Results: The right rectus abdominis muscles of rats that received PMMA gel injection had increased volume and the breaking strength was greater than 100% compared to the left rectus muscles that received SHAM injections. There was a significant deposition of type I and III collagen fibers around the PMMA injection sites. Conclusion: PMMA microspheres implanted into the rectus abdominis muscle of Wistar rats promote neocollagenesis and significantly increase the breaking strength when subjected to stretch test. The mild and desired foreign body type tissue reaction around the PMMA is not objection to the augmentation of the rectus abdominis muscle.

Physiotherapy for complete motor recovery in 4-year-old child with Guillain Barre syndrome- A case study

This study was conducted in 4-year-old male child in sub-acute stage of Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) for 12 weeks in a local clinical setup after discharge from the hospital completing IVIG dose. Physiotherapy was given for 12 weeks, 5 days in a week of 1 and half hour session per day with rest periods between the session. Physiotherapy intervention includes passive – active exercise, resisted exercise, weight bearing exercise, mat activities, breathing exercises, task-oriented exercise, balance and coordination exercise, abdominal strengthening, gait training, and play activities. Outcomes used before and after the intervention were Manual Muscle Test (MMT), Five Times Sit to Stand Test (FTSST), Functional independent Measure (FIM), Time Up and Go test (TUG) and Hand dynamometer to analyse the effects of physiotherapy intervention. This study concluded that there was a significant improvement in patient’s motor functions and independence in daily activities after an effective physiotherapy treatment. There was a complete motor recovery after 12 weeks of physiotherapy.

Effect of Pelvic Floor and Abdominal Muscle Exercise on Women with Stress Urinary Incontinence: A Quasi-experimental Study

Introduction: International continence society and the international urogynaecology association defined the Urinary Incontinence (UI) as “the complaint of any involuntary urine loss”. Pelvic Floor Muscles (PFM) weakness leads to Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI). There exists an association between physical exertions along with urinary loss in UI. For decreasing urine leak episodes in women, PFM exercises are recommended. The PFM serves as the inner unit and the transverse abdominal muscle, multifidus along with diaphragm act as core muscles. Therefore, for treating SUI, abdominal muscle strengthening might be efficient. Aim: To analyse the effect of combined PFM exercises and abdominal muscle exercises on SUI symptoms. Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental study was executed with 15 subjects in the Experimental Group (EG) and 11 subjects in the Control Group (CG) via purposive sampling technique at outpatient department. The EG was treated with abdominal muscle exercises along with Pelvic Floor Exercises (PFE) for eight weeks while the CG was treated with PFE. Via phone calls, the training’s follow-up was conducted. PFM strength and the Questionnaire for Urinary Incontinence Diagnosis (QUID) were the outcome measures. The between group perineometer scores analysed with paired t-test. For examining the pre and post-test score of PFM strength scores the independent t-test was employed. For analysing the QUID score Wilcoxon signedrank test, Mann-Whitney U test was applied. Results: The mean of PFM strength (mmHg) for the interventional group was 5.4 while in the CG the mean was 1.64 as exhibited by the within group analysis (p=0.001). An enhancement in every component of QUID in the interventional group was shown in the post-test QUID score between groups which depicted a statistically significant difference in all the components (cough p=0.001, bending p=0.002, walk p=0.001). Conclusion: Abdominals and PFM exercise lessens the SUI symptoms even though PF exercise is the regular treatment aimed at SUI. Better improvement in SUI symptoms and PFM strength is possible by the abdominals along with eight week PF exercise program.

PHYSICAL THERAPISTS’ PERCEPTIONS OF ADOLESCENT IDIOPATHIC SCOLIOSIS TREATMENT

Background:Few studies have demonstrated the benefit of physical therapy in the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), alone or in conjunction with bracing or surgery. To our knowledge, there is no consensus in pediatric physical therapists who treat AIS patients.Purpose:To identify the optimal physical therapy practices for AIS including; weekly frequency, session length, treatment duration, clinical interventions, therapeutic goal-setting, and outcome measures from pediatric physical therapists’ perspectives.Methods:A 40-question validated survey, The Analysis of the Schroth Method in Adjunct to Physical Therapy Services for Treatment of AIS, was distributed to pediatric physical therapists across the country via the Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy electronic newsletter and via dissemination by the Injury Prevention Research Interest Group from Pediatric Research in Sport Medicine. REDCap was used to collect and organize responses. The responses were analyzed by a descriptive statistics using percentages (%).Results:Sixty-five responses were obtained. The majority of physical therapists, 78.5%, were Doctors of Physical Therapy (DPT), treating 1-5 AIS patients a week (69.2%), and 18.8% had Schroth certification. Preferred treatment frequency was twice a week (41.5%) for a duration of 60 minutes (53.8%), over the course of 3-5 months (44.6%). The top three common clinical interventions were; core and trunk stability enhancement (90.8%), abdominal strengthening (83.1%) and postural correction (80.0%). The three most common therapeutic goal-setting parameters were activity based (78.5%), quality of life measure based (56.9%), and therapy participation based (50.8%). Additionally, for outcome measures, patient reported outcome was the most common objective measurement (78.5%), followed by pain (63.1%), manual muscle testing (46.2%), range of motion (44.6%), cobb angle (27.7%), scoliometer readings (26.2%) and Adam’s forward bend test (10.8%). Therapists often monitored progress with completed surveys by patients. However, patients’ ability to return to activity was the most common marker of improvement (72.3%). Patient’s scoliosis was often being treated in another manner aside from PT (46.2%), and many patients had medical conditions in addition to scoliosis (52.3%).Conclusion:According to our data, pediatric physical therapists believe that patients with AIS can benefit from physical therapy treatments addressing core and trunk stability, abdominal strengthening, and postural correction. Ideal treatment sessions would occur twice a week for 60 minutes over a period of 3-5 months. Objective measurements can be monitored to ensure improvements in quality of life, pain, strength, range of motion and curvature of the patient’s spine.AcknowledgementsThe Injury Prevention Research Interest Group from Pediatric Research in Sports Medicine and Suzanne M. McCahan, PhD

Effect of Core and Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercise on Symptom Severity and Quality of Life in Women with Stress Urinary Incontinence

Context: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) has been associated with a negative impact on quality of life in women which needs to be addressed. The commonly followed treatment includes only pelvic floor muscle (PFM) exercises with lack of importance given to the abdominal muscle strengthening. Aims: The aim of the study is to find the combined effects of core muscle and pelvic floor exercises on SUI in women. Study Setting and Design: This study was a single-group pre–post study design with females having SUI from communities of Pune city, India. Subjects and Methods: Sixty females between 30 and 45 years of age experiencing SUI were recruited for the study. PFM exercises along with core muscle exercises were given as intervention for 5 days/week for 6 weeks. Outcome measures used were Revised Urinary Incontinence Scale (RUIS) and Urogenital Distress Inventory-6 (UDI-6), which were taken before and on completion of 6 weeks of intervention. Statistical Analysis: Student's t-test was used to study the pre- and postintervention difference in the parameters. Results: Significant improvement was noted in the symptoms of SUI as the value of the RUIS reduced from 7.75 ± 2.419 to 3.90 ± 1.100 (P = 0.0015). The quality of life as assessed by UDI-6 also improved significantly after exercise intervention with P = 0.0010. Conclusion: The study showed a significant reduction in symptom severity of urinary incontinence and improvement in quality of life in females suffering from SUI.

Long Term Lumbosacral Bracing and Its Adverse Effects on Low Back

Chronic low back pain CLBP is defined ldquoas the pain or stiffness localized below the costal margins and above the inferior gluteal folds which may be accompanied with sciatica and persist for ge 12 weeks.rdquo Most of these patients present with non-specific and gradually progressive back pain. Low back pain is found to be the most debilitating condition leading to low level of quality of life QOL and disability among women with this complaint. Usually it has been observed that in chronic cases of low back pain patients get used to wearing lumbar corset or brace or belt on long term basis which can have a lot of adverse effects on their back. This causes the soft tissues of the region to shorten adapt and restrict the motion further in the spinal segments. A 63-year-old female presented with disabling low back pain that inhibited her from bending forwards and backwards. Visual Analog Scale Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire and Fear Avoidance Beliefs questionnaire FABQ were taken as baseline information for outcome measures. Range of trunk forward flexion was measured using Schoberrsquos test and the difference was less than 1cm. She was treated in our physiotherapy department with Ultrasound UST and Interferential Current Therapy IFT over lower back region. The patient and her relatives were taught how to wean-off lumbosacral belt gradually by keeping it on for few hours a day initially. Forward-bending exercises in sitting position to stretch the back muscles and other home exercises like mobility exercises along with back muscle isometrics using the wall were taught. After seven days of treatment there was a significant improvement in VAS Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire and FABQ scores. From this it can be noted that back mobility exercises are the key to improve chronic back pain. Studies have highlighted the importance of strengthening especially of the lumbar spine extensors in CLBP patients and had also emphasized on abdominal strengthening to facilitate trunk stabilization. The patientsrsquo mobility in the lumbar region improved and her dependency on the belt reduced gradually. Based on this study we infer that prolonged use of lumbar corsets lumbosacral belts lead to lumbar immobility which further can lead to weakness of back and core muscles. Educating the patient regarding the same and emphasizing more on lumbar mobility exercises on a regular basis can reduce pain improve the range of motion along with decrease in fear avoidance behavior.

Effect of twelve weeks pilates training on functional balance of male patients with multiple sclerosis: Randomized controlled trial

ObjectivePilates training has several well-known benefits for people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). However, its effect on functional balance is unclear. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of pilates exercises on the functional balance of male patients with MS. MethodIn the present parallel group randomized controlled trial, 30 men with MS were recruited from a local corrective exercise clinic in Tehran, Iran, and randomized into Pilates training group (N = 15), and control group (N = 15). At baseline, the age range was 25–40 years, and disability score index was 3–5. InterventionThe intervention group received Pilates exercises including the extension of the thoracic spine, abdominal strengthening, core stabilizing exercises, upper and lower limb, and posture exercises for 12 weeks. OutcomesFunctional balance assessments including Berg's Balance Scale (BBS) test, Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and Functional Reach Test (FRT) were measured at the baseline and after 12 weeks. ResultsAt a 12-week follow-up, a significant between-group difference was observed in favor of the Pilates training group for the functional balance scores (P < 0.05), while no adverse or harmful events were reported in any group. ConclusionPilates training increases the functional balance of MS patients, and decreases known risk factors for falls among the patients in this group, which may have the potential to reduce therapeutic costs and can be considered as a complementary therapeutic approach for physical therapists and corrective exercise experts.

A new surgical method for posterior bending of the uterus (abdominal strengthening of the uterus without opening the abdominal cavity)

The operation of suturing the uterus to the abdominal walls about its posterior bending, proposed for the first time by Olshausen in 1886, soon attracted general attention and became widespread with only small changes in suture imposition (Czerny, Leopold, Snger, etc.).

Aplicación clínica de los ejercicios hipopresivos: una revisión sistemática

Introducción: la Gimnasia Abdominal Hipopresiva es un método creado en la década de los 80 por el Dr. Marcel Caufriez en el ámbito de la reeducación postparto. Actualmente es una técnica muy popularizada, sin embargo, hasta el momento existe poca evidencia en la literatura científica que avale la eficacia de dichos ejercicios.&#x0D; Objetivo: revisar la evidencia publicada en los últimos cinco años sobre los efectos de los ejercicios abdominales hipopresivos.&#x0D; Método: para la realización de este trabajo se llevó a cabo una revisión de la literatura en las bases de datos PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, Web Of Science, SPORTDiscus, Science Direct, PEDro y Dialnet en febrero de 2020. Se incluyeron artículos publicados en los últimos cinco años, y en idioma inglés o español.&#x0D; Resultados: Se obtuvieron 16 artículos. Los estudios analizados evalúan el efecto de los abdominales hipopresivos sobre el suelo pélvico, abdomen, incontinencia urinaria, dolor lumbar, escoliosis y factores metabólicos.&#x0D; Conclusiones: los ejercicios hipopresivos pueden ser utilizados como método complementario al tratamiento clásico de fortalecimiento de la musculatura del suelo pélvico o abdominal. Las conclusiones de esta revisión se deben tomar con precaución debido a las limitaciones que presenta, como la baja calidad de los artículos analizados.

The effects of curl-up exercise in terms of posture and muscle contraction direction on muscle activity and thickness of trunk muscles

The curl-up exercise is widely used in clinical practice for strengthening abdominal muscles, but has been applied without a systematic method. The purpose of this study was to determine the most effective method considering the angle and muscle contraction direction during the curl-up exercise. Fourteen healthy males performed the curl-up exercise according to contraction direction (concentric and eccentric) and angle (30∘, 60∘, and 90∘). The muscle activity of the rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO), and iliopsoas (IP) was measured using electromyography (EMG), and the muscle thickness of transversus abdominis (TrA) was measured using ultrasonography. The activities of the abdominal muscles (RA, EO, and IO) decreased with increasing angles (30∘, 60∘, and 90∘) (p< 0.05). There was no significant difference between eccentric and concentric contractions. The thickness ratio of TrA was the largest at an eccentric curl-up at 30∘, and the smallest at a concentric curl-up at 30∘ (p< 0.05). The most effective angle for curl-up was 30∘. Although there is no difference in the direction of muscle contraction, eccentric curl-up at 30∘ could be considered the most effective posture for abdominal strengthening considering the importance of TrA.

Dynamic Abdominal Strengthening Through Sports Participation to Improve Gait Efficiency in Children with Cerebral Palsy

To examine the effects of dynamic abdominal strengthening through sports participation on the efficiency of gait and transfers in children with Cerebral Palsy, an 8-week hitting protocol was implemented in two children with spastic cerebral palsy.

Effect of an Abdominal Muscle Strengthening Program on Blood Glucose Levels in Persons with Type II Diabetes Mellitus

Effect of an Abdominal Muscle Strengthening Program on Blood Glucose Levels in Persons with Type II Diabetes Mellitus

Effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation-based abdominal muscle strengthening training on pulmonary function, pain, and functional disability index in chronic low back pain patients.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of abdominal muscle strengthening training (AMST) using proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on pulmonary function, pain, and functional disability index in chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients. Thirty CLBP patients were randomly assigned to the traditional physical therapy (control) group (n=15) and PNF-AMST group (n=15). Forced expiratory volume at 1 second (FEV1) was measured to measure changes in pulmonary function. To measure the degree of pain, a visual analog scale (VAS) was used. The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) was used to assess the disability level due to low back pain. A paired t-test was performed to compare differences within the groups before and after intervention. An independent t-test was performed to compare differences between the test and control groups. The level of significance was set at α=0.05. Within-group changes in FEV1 were significantly different in the experimental group (P<0.01), and those in VAS and ODI were significantly different in both groups (both P<0.01). The improvements in FEV1, VAS, and ODI were significantly greater in the experimental group than in the control group (P<0.01). This study showed that AMST using PNF was effective in enhancing pulmonary function and decreasing pain and functional disability index inpatients with CLBP. We expect it to be useful as one of the programs for CLBP patients in the future.

Muscle function and fatigability of trunk flexors in males and females

BackgroundOptimal function of the abdominal muscles is necessary for several life functions including lifting and carrying tasks. Sex differences in strength and fatigability are established for many limb muscles and back extensor muscles, but it is unknown if sex differences exist for the abdominal muscles despite their functional importance.MethodsEighteen females (24.3 ± 4.8 years) and 15 males (24.1 ± 6.6 years) performed (1) isometric trunk flexion maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) in a range of trunk positions to establish a torque-angle curve and (2) submaximal (50% MVC), intermittent isometric contraction (6 s on, 4 s off) until task failure to determine fatigability of the trunk flexor muscles. Dual X-ray absorptiometry quantified body fat and lean mass. Physical activity levels were quantified with a questionnaire. Torque-angle curves, electromyography (EMG), MVC torque, and torque steadiness were compared with repeated measures ANOVA with sex as a between-subjects factor.ResultsFor the torque-angle curve, MVC torque was reduced as the trunk angle increased toward flexion (p < 0.001). Males had greater MVC torque than females at the extended positions (31% difference), with no sex differences in torque in upright sitting (p > 0.05). Time-to-task failure for the submaximal fatigability task in upright sitting was similar between males and females (12.4 ± 7 vs 10.5 ± 6 min). Time-to-task failure was positively associated with strength (r = 0.473, p = 0.005) and self-reported physical activity (r = 0.456, p = 0.030). Lean mass in the trunk was positively associated with trunk flexor strength (r = 0.378, p = 0.011) and self-reported physical activity (r = 0.486, p = 0.007). Finally, torque steadiness [coefficient of variation of torque (CV)] during submaximal isometric contractions decreased with contraction intensity and was similar for males and females across all intensities.ConclusionsUnlike many limb muscle groups, males and females had similar fatigability and torque steadiness of the trunk flexor muscles during isometric contractions. Stronger individuals, however, exhibited less fatigability. Lower self-reported physical activity was associated with greater fatigability of trunk flexor muscles. The relationship between strength and fatigability of the trunk flexor muscles and physical activity supports the importance of abdominal muscle strengthening to offset fatigability in both males and females.

Effect of Specific Transverse Abdominal Muscle Strengthening and Conventional Therapy for Trunk Control in Paraplegic Subjects

Effect of Specific Transverse Abdominal Muscle Strengthening and Conventional Therapy for Trunk Control in Paraplegic Subjects