Paraspinal Muscle Activity during Unstable Superman and Bodyweight Squat Exercises

Abstract

Abstract:The purpose of this study was to investigate the recruitment of the paraspinal muscles longissimus and iliocostalis during dynamic contractions of superman exercises on stable and unstable surfaces, and during unloaded bodyweight squats. Surface electromyography (EMG) was measured from these two muscles bilaterally while participants performed the exercises. Participants (n = 17, age 24 ± 3.1 years, body mass 78.5 ± 8.2 kg, height 1.81 ± 7.4 m) performed two sets of 10 repetitions for each exercise in a random order. Correlation analysis demonstrated a strong positive relation between both sides of the participants (longissimus pairs: r = 0.945; and iliocostalis pairs: r = 0.855), demonstrating a symmetric muscle recruitment in all exercises. However, there were no significant differences between the exercises for both muscles in a multiple comparison analysis (longissimus pairs: p = 0.496; and iliocostalis pairs: p = 0.296). The bodyweight squat produces similar muscle activity of the longissimus and iliocostalis compared with superman exercises on stable and unstable surfaces. Considering the dynamic nature of the bodyweight squat, and its implications on functional daily living activities and sports conditions, it seems a more reasonable choice for targeting paraspinal muscles if compared to superman exercises or unstable superman exercises.

Towards evidence based strength training: a comparison of muscle forces during deadlifts, goodmornings and split squats

“…Training recommendations have recently been provided based on the observed EMG activity [ 10 , 40 – 45 ]. For isometric EMG measurements, the quadriceps muscle activation patterns differed across knee flexion angles and between the different muscle parts, especially m. vastus intermedius , which was shown to be most sensitive to changes in the muscle length [ 46 ].…”

“…joint moments) [ 2 – 5 ] as well as internal loading conditions (e.g. patello-femoral joint contact forces or muscle activities based on EMG measurements) [ 6 – 10 ] during training exercises such as deadlifts, goodmornings or split squats, resulting in a variety of training recommendations. However, precise and objective comparisons of the actual muscle forces that act throughout these exercises and provide a more complete understanding of the loading patterns for laying the foundations for evidence-based training recommendations, are clearly missing in the literature.…”

Do the physical elements improving archery performance?

“…Data collection used physical tests, including the superman back hold (SBH) test, right (HGR), and left (HGL) hand grip strength and static balance tests. The SBH test was carried out by holding as long as possible in the superman position expressed in seconds (Reiser et al, 2017). Right and left grip strength was done by pulling as hard as possible by squeezing the hand against the Hand grip strength dynamometer, the results of which are expressed in kilograms (Kg) (Hamilton et al, 1994;Pangaribuan et al, 2020;Véliz Véliz et al, 2020;Pitombeira Pereira Pedro et al, 2023).…”