Gluteus Maximus Muscle Activity Research Articles

Gluteus medius activity during gait is altered in individuals with chronic ankle instability: An ultrasound imaging study

BackgroundAltered gait mechanics are frequently reported in individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI), and increasing information suggests proximal muscle adaptations occur in this population. Ultrasound imaging (USI) offers a visual means to evaluate muscle activity during movement, and overcomes limitations of electromyography (EMG) to detect hip muscle activity. Research QuestionA descriptive laboratory study was conducted to determine if gluteus maximus (GMAX) and medius (GMED) muscle activity differed throughout gait in patients with CAI compared to healthy counterparts. MethodsTwenty young adults with CAI (21.6 ± 2.4 years, 10 males) and 20 healthy participants (21.2 ± 2.8 years, 10 males) walked on a treadmill at 1.35 m/s while researchers obtained 10-second clips of bilateral USI of the GMAX and GMED. USI clips were reduced to 55 frames consisting of 11 points over five full gait cycles. Muscle thickness values during walking were normalized to quiet bipedal standing USI images to obtain functional activity ratios (FARs). FARs with 90% confidence intervals (CI) were plotted as 10% interludes from 0 to 100% of the gait cycle to compare groups and limbs. Mean differences and Cohen’s d effect sizes were used to assess the extent of differences. The CAI group had decreased GMED activity bilaterally from 0 to 40% of walking gait compared to healthy counterparts with large effect sizes (d≥0.60). CAI group FARs were below quiet stance levels (FARs<1.0) throughout the entire gait cycle. There were no differences noted between groups or limbs for GMAX measures. SignificanceProximal stabilizing musculature was altered bilaterally in CAI individuals compared to healthy counterparts, which may contribute to movement dysfunction. Previous studies using EMG have not detected this extent of bilateral gluteal muscle alterations in CAI groups during gait, however our findings suggest USI was able to detect significant proximal alterations during walking in this population.

The Effects of Lateral Shift Correction Squat on Muscle Activation and Dynamic Balance in Scoliosis

Background/Objectives: The purpose of this study was to effects of the muscle activity of elector spinae and gluteus maximus and dynamic balance ability during lateral shift correction squat in scoliosis.Method/Statistical Analysis: The subjects of this study were 17 female and 11 male who has scoliosis were recruited. Surface electromyography data were collected from the both of electer spinae(T6 and L3) and gluteus maximus. Dynamic balance was collected from bio-resque device. A Paired t - test was performed to examine the effect of both of elector spinae(T6 and L3) and gluteus maximus muscle activity and dynamic balance during lateral shift correction squat.Findings: The results of this study show that the trunk lateral shift correction squat increased ratio of elector spinae(T6 and L3) and gluteus maximus compared with general squat. Also dynamic balance ability was increased during lateral shift correction squat compared with general squat.Improvements/Applications: This study suggests that lateral shift squat maybe useful in subject with scoliosis.

The Effects of Lateral Shift Correction Squat on Muscle Activation and Dynamic Balance in Scoliosis

Background/Objectives: The purpose of this study was to effects of the muscle activity of elector spinae and gluteus maximus and dynamic balance ability during lateral shift correction squat in scoliosis.Method/Statistical Analysis: The subjects of this study were 17 female and 11 male who has scoliosis were recruited. Surface electromyography data were collected from the both of electer spinae(T6 and L3) and gluteus maximus. Dynamic balance was collected from bio-resque device. A Paired t - test was performed to examine the effect of both of elector spinae(T6 and L3) and gluteus maximus muscle activity and dynamic balance during lateral shift correction squat.Findings: The results of this study show that the trunk lateral shift correction squat increased ratio of elector spinae(T6 and L3) and gluteus maximus compared with general squat. Also dynamic balance ability was increased during lateral shift correction squat compared with general squat.Improvements/Applications: This study suggests that lateral shift squat maybe useful in subject with scoliosis.

Effects of hula hooping and mini hooping on core muscle activation and hip movement

Hula hoops are a popular piece of fitness equipment used to attempt to slim the waistline and improve core muscle endurance. Although there are obvious visible movements at the waist and hip, no study has quantified the intensity of muscle activity during hula hooping. Therefore, this study analyzed muscle activation in the torso and hip during hula hooping. Because injury to the waist often occurs after prolonged, repeated impact between the waist and a hula hoop, this study developed a novel waist fitness hoop that eliminates impact, called the “Mini Hoop,” and determined the effects of mini hooping on hip movement and muscle activation. A total of 16 healthy females performed hula hooping and mini hooping at a self-selected pace. Results showed that hula hooping caused larger muscle activation, with 46%–49% maximum voluntary isometric contraction for the external oblique, spinal erectors, and gluteus medius, whereas gluteus maximus and adductor longus muscle activation were with 22%–29% maximum voluntary isometric contraction. Mini hooping required a smaller range of hip motion in flexion, extension, abduction/adduction, higher pelvic oscillation frequency, and lower muscle activation for the external oblique, spinal erectors, gluteus medius, gluteus maximus, and adductor longus (13%–33% maximum voluntary isometric contraction) compared with hula hooping ( p &lt; 0.05). In conclusion, hula hooping and mini hooping differ in their range of hip motion, pelvic oscillation frequency, and muscle activation requirements. Hula hooping is suitable for moderate-intensity core muscle activation, whereas the Mini Hoop is suitable for low-level core muscle activation.

Friday, September 28, 2018 3:00 PM–4:00 PM abstracts: spinal deformity analysis: 225. The correlation of spinopelvic parameters with biomechanical parameters measured by gait and balance analyses in patients with adult degenerative scoliosis

BACKGROUND CONTEXT Gait and balance analyses can provide an objective measure of function. Patients with adult degenerative scoliosis (ADS) demonstrate an altered gait and balance patterns. Spinopelvic parameters are commonly used by clinicians to evaluate patients with ADS. However, few studies have examined the correlation between patients’ spinopelvic parametersoutcome and objective biomechanical gait and balance analyses. PURPOSE To determine the correlation between spinopelvic parameters with objective biomechanical measures of function. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING A prospective cohort study. PATIENT SAMPLE Thirty-nine patients with symptomatic ADS who have been deemed appropriate surgical candidates. OUTCOME MEASURES CVA, SVA, Cobb angle, PI-LL and T1PAalong with gait spatiotemporal parameters and COM and head sway during functional balance test. METHODS Gait and functional balance analyses were performed the week before surgery. Spatiotemporal parameters (ie gait speed, cadence, stride length, width and time etc.) were calculated during the gait evaluation. The functional balance test was similar to a Romberg's test. COM and head displacements in the sagittal and coronal planes and total sway amount along with spine and lower extremity neuromuscular activity were calculated. Furthermore, spinopelvic parameters were obtained on the same day of testing. Correlations were determined between the spinopelvic parameters and objective gait and balance analyses biomechanical data using Pearson's Product Correlation in SPSS. RESULTS The CVA was correlated with walking speed (r=0.343, p=.050), single support time (r=0.336, p=.050) during gait and external oblique (r=0.551, p=.008) muscle activity during the balance test. The SVA was correlated with horizontal COM (r=0.55, p=.004) and head (r=0.716, p=.001) sway in the coronal plane and gluteus maximus (r=0.450, p=.031) muscle activity during the balance test. The Cobb angle was correlated with COM total sway (r=-0.381, p=.050) and multifidus (r=−0.432, p=.035) muscle activity during the balance test. The PI-LL was correlated with single support time (r=0.493, p=.004) during gait and multifidus (r=0.406, p=.050) and semitendinosus (r=0.472, p=.023) muscle activity during the balance test. The T1PA was correlated with head sway in the coronal plane (r=0.403, p=.046) and external oblique (r=−0.484, p=.022) and gluteus maximus (r=0.387, p=.050) muscle activity during the balance test. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated a strong correlation between biomechanical parameters as measured with objective gait and balance analyses and spinopelvic parametersas measured with CVA, SVA, Cobb angle, PI-LL and T1PA. With higher values of the spinopelvic parameters, single support time, COM and head sway and neuromuscular activity were increased. Quantified gait and balance analyses can be a useful tool to evaluate patient outcomes. Objective functional performance measures can help to improve the evaluation and understanding of the biomechanical effects of spinal disorders on locomotion.

Balance and Lower Limb Muscle Activation between In-Line and Traditional Lunge Exercises.

In-line and traditional lunge exercises present differences in technique as lower limb positioning (anterioposterior), and medio-lateral (ML) balance may differentially affect primary and stabilizer muscles. The purposes of this study were to examine ML balance and muscle activation in anterior and posterior leg positions between in-line and traditional lunge exercises. Fifteen young, healthy, resistance-trained men (25 ± 5 years) performed 2 different lunge exercises (in-line and traditional) at their 10 repetition maximum in a randomized, counterbalanced fashion. Surface electromyography measured muscle activation of the vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, gluteus maximus, and gluteus medius. ML balance was measured with a Wii Fit Balance Board. The vastus lateralis activity was not significantly different between exercises or leg positions. The biceps femoris activity was not significantly different between exercises, however, it was significantly greater in the anterior compared to the posterior position for the in-line (p = 0.003), and traditional lunge (p < 0.001). The gluteus maximus activity was not significantly different between exercises, however, it was significantly greater in the anterior compared to posterior position for the in-line (p < 0.001) and traditional lunge (p < 0.001). ML balance was significantly greater in the in-line exercise in the anterior limb (p = 0.001). Thus, both in-line and traditional lunge exercises presented similar overall levels of muscle activation, yet the anterior limb generated the highest biceps femoral and gluteus maximus muscle activation when compared to the posterior limb. The in-line lunge presents greater ML balance when compared to the traditional lunge exercise.

Abdominal muscle recruitment and its effect on the activity level of the hip and posterior thigh muscles during therapeutic exercises of the hip joint

Abdominal exercise has been advocated to improve the protection of the spine and neuromuscular efficiency of the limb movements. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of enhanced contraction of internal oblique and transversus abdominis (IO/TrA) on the activity level of the hip and posterior thigh muscles during therapeutic hip exercises. Twenty healthy females were required to perform eight hip exercises under two conditions, natural versus enhanced IO/TrA contraction conditions. Muscle activity of gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, tensor fasciae latae and biceps femoris of the exercising leg was measured by surface electromyography during hip exercises, and expressed in percentage normalized to the maximal voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC). The activity levels of the gluteal and posterior thigh muscles recorded under natural and enhanced IO/TrA conditions were compared. IO/TrA was found to have activated at the range of 2.7%-16.1% and 6.3%-24.1% of MVIC when hip exercises were executed under natural and enhanced conditions respectively. Enhanced IO/TrA contraction resulted in significantly greater activity in gluteus maximus, gluteus medius and bicep femoris at various phases of hip extension and clam exercises, single leg sit-to-stand and pelvic drop exercise (increased by 1.7–7.2% of MVIC). These findings indicate the presence of coactivation of the abdominal and hip muscles when performing the free active hip exercises. Further studies are recommended to investigate the efficacy of this muscle coactivation in improving the clinical outcome of therapeutic hip exercises.

Changes in Lumbopelvic Movement and Muscle Recruitment Associated with Prolonged Deep Squatting: A Pilot Study.

This study examined the changes in spinal kinematics and muscle recruitment of the lumbopelvic region associated with prolonged squatting. Eight subjects with chronic nonspecific low back pain (LBP) and eight asymptomatic subjects (AS) performed squat-to-stand and reverse movements, before and immediately after 15 min deep-squatting. Within-group and between-group differences in lumbopelvic kinematics and electromyographic activity acquired in lumbar erector spinae (ES), gluteus maximus (GM), and vastus lateralis (VL) were analyzed. During squat-to-stand after squatting, the LBP group showed slower then faster lumbar movement in the second and third quartiles, respectively. In the second quartile, the AS group moved with a significantly greater lumbar angle. However, significantly greater bilateral GM activity (+4–4.5%) was found in the LBP group only. A more profound decrease in bilateral ES activity (−10%) was also shown in the LBP group, yet this was nonsignificant compared to the AS group (−4%). In the third quartile, only the LBP group moved with a significantly greater lumbar angle, together with a significant increase in bilateral ES (+6–8%) and GM muscle (+2–3%) activity. The findings of the altered pattern of joint kinematics and recruitment of the key lumbopelvic muscles displayed in the LBP group inform on the possible mechanisms that may contribute to the increased risk of developing lumbar dysfunctions for people who work in prolonged squatting postures.

Effect of leg weight shifting on muscle activation of the trunk and lower extremity during trunk flexion and extension performance

Objective: To investigate the effect of performing three different toe touch (TT) task condition on the activities of four different muscles using surface electromyography (sEMG) in healthy young adults. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: A total of 20 healthy young adults (6 males, 14 females) voluntarily participated in this study. All subject randomly performed three different TT task conditions as follows: general toe-touch (GTT) task, one side toe touch (TT) task during weight bearing, and one side foward toe touch (FTT) task during weight bearing. The muscle activities of erector spinae (ES), gluteus maximus (GM), hamstring (HAM), tibialis anterior (TA) muscles during the TT task were measured using sEMG. Subject performed each of the three conditions three time in random order and mean values were obtained. Results: With the trunk flexion period, the TT and FTT showed significantly greater muscle activity in the GM, HAM and TA compared to the GTT task (p<0.05). The TT position showed significantly greater HAM muscle activity than the GTT position. The dominant and nondominant ES muscle activity was significantly greater in the FTT compared to the GTT position (p<0.05). The dominant GM, HAM, and TA was significantly greater in the TT and FTT compared to the GTT position (p<0.05). Although the dominant ES was significantly greater in the TT and FTT compared to the GTT position (p<0.05), the dominant GM muscle activity was signifcantly greater in the TT compared with the GTT position (p<0.05). Conclusions: These findings may be applicable within the clinical field for selective trunk and lower extremity muscle activation and basic biomechanics purpose.

Effect of Modified Bridge Exercise on Muscle Activity of Erector Spinae, Gluteus Maximus and Biceps Femoris Muscle in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain

Effect of Modified Bridge Exercise on Muscle Activity of Erector Spinae, Gluteus Maximus and Biceps Femoris Muscle in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain

The effect of the trunk and gluteus maximus muscle activities according to support surface and hip joint rotation during bridge exercise.

[Purpose] The purposes of this study were to strengthen gluteus maximus and trunk muscles depending upon the hip joint direction by bridging exercise on an unstable and stable surface, and to suggest an intervention method for efficient and selective exercise. [Participants and Methods] The test measured the muscle activities with the external rotation and internal rotation of 25 degrees and hip joint neutral position of 0 degree on a stable and unstable surface each exercise 3 times for 9 seconds. [Results] External oblique abdominis showed a higher muscle activity on the unstable surface and internal rotation. Erector spinae showed no significant difference on the surfaces and demonstrated the highest muscle activity at the internal rotation. Gluteus maximus showed a higher muscle activity on the stable surface and external rotation and the interaction effect between the surface and the angle indicated a statistical significance as well. [Conclusion] Muscle activities appear different depending upon the change of surface and joint angle, and it can be said that the correct mobilization of muscle fiber relying on the muscle arrangement direction and muscle contraction direction is the most important factor for gluteus maximus.

Influences of Squat Exercises with Upper Limb Resistance Movement for Vasti Muscles and Gluteus Maximus Muscle Activation Patterns

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of squat exercises with an upper limb resistance movement on the vastus medialis oblique, vastus lateralis, and gluteus maximus. This study recruited 16 healthy men. All subjects performed squat exercises with and without upper Limb resistance movements by using elastic tubing band. Electromyography (EMG) activity of the vastus medialis oblique, vastus lateralis, and gluteus maximus was recorded using a surface EMG system during these isometric squat exercises in both experimental conditions. The different muscle activation of the vastus medialis oblique, vastus lateralis, and gluteus maximus between the squat exercises with and without the upper limb resistance movement was analyzed using a paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed rank test. Our findings showed that the vastus medialis oblique, vastus medialis oblique/vastus lateralis ratio and gluteus maximus muscle activity was significantly increased during the squat exercise with upper limb resistance movements, as compared to the squat exercise without this component (p < .05). Based on our findings, the additional upper limb resistance movement may be a useful strategy to facilitate the vastus medialis oblique and gluteus maximus muscle activation during a squat exercise.

생체자기제어 측정 기구를 이용한 교각운동이 척추세움근과 큰볼기근의 근활성도에 미치는 영향

생체자기제어 측정 기구를 이용한 교각운동이 척추세움근과 큰볼기근의 근활성도에 미치는 영향

Difference Of Anaerobic Capacity, Muscle Activity Of Lower Extremities In Win-gate Test According To Events Of Cyclists

PURPOSE: This study examined anaerobic capacity, muscle activity of dominant lower extremities Gluteus maximus(Gmax), Rectus femoris(RF), Long head of biceps femoris(LBF), Tibialis anterior(TA), Gastrocnemius medialis(GM) with Standing start 10sec(SS-10sec) and Rolling start 30sec(RS-30sec) Wingate test between short distance cyclist group(SDC, 20±1 yrs) and long distance cyclist group(LDC, 21±2 yrs) total 12 elite cyclists to develop baseline data which can provide proper training program for each event through comparison and analysis of this experiment. METHODS: Independent t-test was conducted to verify the differences of anaerobic capacity, lower extremities muscle activity, isokinetic muscle strength, and paired t-test was executed to verify anaerobic capacity, muscle activity differences within each group. All the statistical significance level was set as α=.05. RESULTS: 1. SDC group was identified as significant higher Peak/kg than LDC group during SS-10sec wingate test between the groups (p<.05). 2. SS-10sec was identified as significantly higher than RS-30sec in Peak power and Peak/kg between SS-10sec and RS-30sec wingate test within SDC group (p<.01, p<.01). SS-10sec was identified as significantly higher Peak power and Peak/kg than RS-30sec, within LDC group (p<.05, p<.05), for Mean power and Mean power and Mean/kg, RS-30sec was identified as significantly higher result than SS-10sec(p<.001, p<.001). 3. SS-10sec was identified as significantly higher Peak and Mean muscle activity than RS-30sec in long head of biceps femoris during wingate test within SDC group(p <.05, p <.01). Peak muscle activity within LDL group was identified as no significant difference between SS-10sec and RS-30sec in Peak muscle activity, for Mean muscle activity, SS-10sec was identified as significantly higher muscle activity than RE-30sec in tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius medialis(p<.01, p<.05). CONCLUSION: With the above results, it is identified anaerobic capacity and activated muscle groups during pedalling according to cycling events. Therefore, in the future study, it is considered that specialized training program application for specific event based on the current study could improve athletic performances.

Effects of volitional spine stabilization on lifting task in recurrent low back pain population.

To examine the influence of volitional preemptive abdominal contraction (VPAC) and recurrent low back pain (rLBP) on trunk mechanics and neuromuscular control during a symmetric lifting task. A 2×2 crossover mixed design was used to examine the effects of VPAC and group. Thirty-seven healthy individuals and 32 rLBP individuals performed symmetric box lifting trials with and without VPAC to a 1-m height table3D trunk, pelvis, and hip joint angle and electromyographic magnitude variables were obtained. Selected variables were analyzed using ANOVA. The VPAC induced differences in joint kinematics and muscle activity in rLBP and healthy subjects during symmetric lifting. A significant two-way interaction effect was observed for the semitendinosus activity. The VPAC increased external oblique muscle activity, reduced erector spinae and multifidus muscles activity, and induced greater trunk flexion angle, greater trunk side flexion angle, and greater hip flexion angle, and decreased pelvis obliquity angle in both groups. In addition, the rLBP subjects presented with a reduced external oblique and gluteus maximus muscle activity, greater erector spinae and multifidus muscles activity, and greater pelvis posterior tilt angle. Our results provide evidence that a VPAC strategy performed during symmetric lifting may potentially reduce exposure to biomechanical factors that can contribute to lumbar spine injury. The hamstring muscles may play an important role in achieving pelvic balance during the lifting maneuver. Incorporating the VPAC during dynamic stressful activities appears to help improve sensorimotor control and facilitate positioning of the lower extremities and the pelvis, while protecting the lumbar spine.

Effect of feedback techniques for lower back pain on gluteus maximus and oblique abdominal muscle activity and angle of pelvic rotation during the clam exercise

ObjectivesThis study was conducted in order to determine the effect of feedback tools on activities of the gluteus maximus (Gmax) and oblique abdominal muscles and the angle of pelvic rotation during clam exercise (CE). DesignComparative study using repeated measures. SettingUniversity laboratory. ParticipantsSixteen subjects with lower back pain. Main outcome measuresEach subject performed the CE without feedback, the CE using a pressure biofeedback unit (CE-PBU), and the CE with palpation and visual feedback (CE-PVF). Electromyographic (EMG) activity and the angles of pelvic rotation were measured using surface EMG and a three-dimensional motion-analysis system, respectively. One-way repeated-measures ANOVA followed by the Bonferroni post hoc test were used to compare the EMG activity in each muscle as well as the angle of pelvic rotation during the CE, CE-PBU, and CE-PVF. ResultsThe results of post-hoc testing showed a significantly reduced angle of pelvic rotation and significantly more Gmax EMG activity during the CE-PVF compared with during the CE and CE-PBU. ConclusionThese findings suggest that palpation and visual feedback is effective for activating the Gmax and controlling pelvic rotation during the CE in subjects with lower back pain.

Comparison of gluteus maximus and hamstring electromyographic activity and lumbopelvic motion during three different prone hip extension exercises in healthy volunteers

ObjectiveTo compare the surface electromyography (EMG) amplitude of the hip joint, including the gluteus maximus (GM), biceps femoris (BF), and semitendinosus (ST) muscles generated by three different exercises: prone hip extension (PHE), prone table hip extension (PTHE), and prone table hip extension with 90° knee flexion (PTHEK), with compensatory pelvic motions. DesignRepeated-measure within-subject intervention. ParticipantsSixteen-healthy males (mean age = 23.4 ± 2.2 years). Main outcome measuresEMG was used to collect EMG signals from the GM, erector spinae (ES), BF, and ST muscles. Furthermore an electromagnetic tracking motion analysis was also performed to measure the compensations. ResultsEMG amplitude differed significantly among the three conditions (PHE vs. PTHE vs. PTHEK) (p < 0.05). The mean GM muscle activity increased significantly during the PTHEK (70.93% and 13.75% increases in %MVIC compared with the PHE and PTHE, respectively) (p < 0.01). However, there was no significant difference in the kinematic data for rotation or anterior tilting angle of the pelvis among the three conditions (p > 0.05). ConclusionsThese results suggest that the PTHEK can be recommended as an effective method to strengthen the GM muscle without increased BF or ES muscle activities and without compensatory pelvic motions.

Modifying the hip abduction angle during bridging exercise can facilitate gluteus maximus activity

PurposeTo investigate how the erector spinae (ES) and gluteus maximus (GM) muscle activity and the anterior pelvic tilt angle change with different hip abduction angles during a bridging exercise. MethodsTwenty healthy participants (10 males and 10 females, aged 21.6 ± 1.6) voluntarily participated in this study. Surface electromyography (EMG) signals were recorded from the ES and GM during bridging at three hip abduction angles: 0°, 15°, and 30°. Simultaneously, the anterior pelvic tilt angle was measured using Image J software. ResultsThe EMG amplitude of the GM muscle and the GM/ES EMG ratio were greatest at 30° hip abduction, followed by 15° and then 0° hip abduction during the bridging exercise. In contrast, the ES EMG amplitude at 30° hip abduction was significantly lesser than that at 0° and 15° abduction. Additionally, the anterior pelvic tilt angle was significantly lower at 30° hip abduction than at 0° or 15°. ConclusionsBridging with 30° hip abduction can be recommended as an effective method to selectively facilitate GM muscle activity, minimize compensatory ES muscle activity, and decrease the anterior pelvic tilt angle.

Changes in the activity of trunk and hip extensor muscles during bridge exercises with variations in unilateral knee joint angle.

[Purpose] This study compared abdominal and hip extensor muscle activity during a bridge exercise with various knee joint angles. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-two healthy male subjects performed a bridge exercise in which the knee joint angle was altered. While subjects performed the bridge exercise, external oblique, internal oblique, gluteus maximus, and semitendinosus muscle activity was measured using electromyography. [Results] The bilateral external and internal oblique muscle activity was significantly higher at 0° knee flexion compared to 120°, 90°, and 60°. The bilateral gluteus maximus muscle activity was significantly different at 0° of knee flexion compared to 120°, 90°, and 60°. The ipsilateral semitendinosus muscle activity was significantly increased at 90° and 60° of knee flexion compared to 120°, and significantly decreased at 0° knee flexion compared with 120°, 90°, and 60°. The contralateral semitendinosus muscle activity was significantly higher at 60° of knee flexion than at 120°, and significantly higher at 0° of knee flexion than at 120°, 90°, and 60°. [Conclusion] Bridge exercises performed with knee flexion less than 90° may be used to train the ipsilateral semitendinosus. Furthermore, bridge exercise performed with one leg may be used to train abdominal and hip extensor muscles.

The effects of performing a one-legged bridge with hip abduction and use of a sling on trunk and lower extremity muscle activation in healthy adults.

[Purpose] This study investigated the changes in the muscle activities of the trunk and lower limbs of healthy adults during a one-legged bridge exercise using a sling, and with the addition of hip abduction. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-seven healthy individuals participated in this study (14 males and 13 females). The participants were instructed to perform the bridge exercises under five different conditions. Trunk and lower limb muscle activation of the erector spinae (ES), external oblique (EO), gluteus maximus (GM), and biceps femoris (BF) was measured using surface electromyography. Data analysis was performed using the mean scores of three trials performed under each condition. [Results] There was a significant increase in bilateral EO and contralateral GM with the one-legged bridge compared with the one-legged bridge with sling exercise. Muscle activation of the ipsilateral GM and BF was significantly less during the one-legged bridge exercise compared to the one-legged bridge with sling exercise, and was significantly greater during the one-legged bridge with hip abduction compared to the one-legged bridge exercise. The muscle activation of the contralateral GM and BF was significantly greater with the one-legged bridge with hip abduction compared to the general bridge exercise. [Conclusion] With the one-legged bridge with hip abduction, the ipsilateral EO, GM and BF muscle activities were significantly greater than those of the one-legged bridge exercise. The muscle activation of all trunk and contralateral lower extremity muscles increased with the bridge with sling exercises compared with general bridge exercises.