Core Muscle Activation During Dynamic Upper Limb Exercises in Women

Abstract

Although several everyday functions and sporting activities demand controlled use of the abdominal and back muscles while working with the upper limbs, the activity of core muscles during dynamic upper limb exercises in the standing position has not been studied extensively. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine abdominal and back muscle activity during dynamic upper limb exercises while standing and to evaluate whether dynamic exercises are appropriate for strengthening muscles. The activation of the rectus abdominis, obliquus externus abdominis, longissimus, and multifidus muscles during dynamic bilateral or unilateral shoulder exercises with or without fixation of the pelvis was measured in 20 healthy women using surface electromyography. Trunk muscle activation during isometric maximum contraction was used as a comparative reference. With bilateral shoulder extension and unilateral shoulder horizontal adduction, abdominal muscle activity was >60% of activity during reference exercises. With unilateral shoulder horizontal abduction and shoulder extension exercises, back muscle activity was >60% of the activity level reference exercise. Muscle activation levels were 35-64% lower during shoulder horizontal adduction and abduction without fixation compared with exercises with fixation. The results indicate that upper limb exercises performed in the standing position are effective for activating core muscles. Bilateral and unilateral shoulder extension and unilateral shoulder horizontal abduction and adduction with the pelvis fixed elicited the greatest activity of the core muscles.

Muscle Activation in Young Men During a Lower Limb Aquatic Resistance Exercise With Different Devices

“…This result is in accordance with those of previous studies, 24,40 which showed that core muscle activation is asymmetrical when exercises are performed unilaterally. Greater core muscle activation was found in the contralateral side during dynamic unilateral upper limb exercises.…”

“…Greater core muscle activation was found in the contralateral side during dynamic unilateral upper limb exercises. 24,40 Feldwieser et al 41 found higher external oblique activation on the side that was unsupported during a prone bridge exercise compared with the supported side. External oblique activation is much greater on the contralateral side of the leg in action to stabilize the body.…”

Effect of breathing maneuver combined with upper extremity exercise on respiratory capacity in healthy adult men

“…When upper extremity movement begins, diaphragm increases abdominal pressure and allows strong exhalation10 ) . Tarnanen et al found that dynamic upper extremity exercise was useful for activating abdominal muscles11 ) , and Park reported that the abdominal expiratory strategy significantly increased transversus abdominis thickness12 ) . Goo et al also reported that the thickness of the transversus abdominis was significantly increased on the sonographs when the maximal expiratory maneuver was applied to healthy people6 ) .…”

Effects of Changing the Resistance Direction Using an Elastic Tubing Band on Abdominal Muscle Activities during Isometric Upper Limb Exercises

“…Tarnanen et al 21) reported that the multifidus and EO muscles had high activities during shoulder horizontal abduction in the standing position. The abdominal oblique muscles play a role in stabilizing the trunk and pelvis in control of the neutral spine position 22) .…”