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Georgian Medical News Jan 2024The separation of the two rectus abdominis muscles along the linea alba is termed diastasis of recti abdominis muscles (DRAM). DRAM is a common health problem in people... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
The separation of the two rectus abdominis muscles along the linea alba is termed diastasis of recti abdominis muscles (DRAM). DRAM is a common health problem in people that are both pregnant and postpartum. With a 100% frequency at gestational week 35, it is extremely frequent during pregnancy. Control and function of the trunk are greatly influenced by the musculature of the abdomen. The existence, extent, and duration of DRAM have been connected to low back and pelvic discomfort however the relationship is not conclusive. It has been proven to weaken abdominal muscles and impair their functioning in lumbo-pelvic stability. Additionally, DRAM has been linked to pelvic floor dysfunction. The mechanical control and function of the abdomen can be compromised by diastasis recti, which compromises the abdominal muscles. This study examined the impact of abdominal exercises and neuromuscular electrical stimulation on the DRAM in postnatal females who underwent Caesarean section. A total of 208 individuals, aged between 20 and 34, who had recti diastasis measuring more than 2.5 cm, underwent screening. They were split into two groups at random. Group B only received abdominal exercises, whereas Group A received NMES in addition to their activities. For a period of 12 weeks, the intervention was given to both groups three times a week. Changes have been recorded before and after the intervention. The pressure biofeedback unit, measuring tape, and vernier caliper were employed to evaluate the outcome measures of inter-recti distance, abdominal muscle strength, and waist-hip ratio, respectively. In every outcome, both groups had a highly significant (p<0.05) improvement. Furthermore, after 12 weeks, group A had improved in all measures with highly significant (p<0.05) intergroup comparisons. In comparison to MNES alone, NMES can have a more significant effect on reducing DRAM in postpartum women when paired with abdominal Exercise.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Young Adult; Abdominal Muscles; Cesarean Section; Diastasis, Muscle; Electric Stimulation; Exercise Therapy; Rectus Abdominis
PubMed: 38501623
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of Applied Physiology... Oct 1996Abdominal muscles are the principal muscles of active expiration. To investigate the possibility of abdominal muscle low-frequency fatigue after maximal ventilation in... (Clinical Trial)
Clinical Trial
Abdominal muscles are the principal muscles of active expiration. To investigate the possibility of abdominal muscle low-frequency fatigue after maximal ventilation in humans, we stimulated the nerve roots supplying the abdominal muscles. We used a magnetic stimulator (Magstim 200) powering a 90-mm circular coil and studied six normal subjects. To assess the optimum level of stimulation and posture, we stimulated at each intervertebral level between T7 and L1 in the prone, supine, and seated positions. At T10, we used increasing power outputs to assess the pressure-power relationship. Care was taken to avoid muscle potentiation. Twitch gastric pressure (Pga) was recorded with a balloon-tipped catheter. Mean (+/-SD) baseline twitch Pga measured with the subjects in the prone position at T10 was 23.5 +/- 5.4 cmH2O. Within-occasion mean twitch Pga coefficient of variation was 4.6 +/- 1.1%. Twitch Pga was measured with the subjects in the prone position with stimulation over T10 before and after 2 min of maximal isocapnic ventilation (MIV). Twenty minutes after MIV, mean twitch Pga fell by 17 +/- 9.1% (P = 0.03) and remained low 90 min after MIV. We conclude that after maximal ventilation in humans there is a reduction of twitch Pga and, therefore, of low-frequency fatigue in abdominal muscles.
Topics: Abdominal Muscles; Action Potentials; Electromagnetic Fields; Electromyography; Esophagus; Humans; Muscle Contraction; Muscle Fatigue; Physical Stimulation; Posture; Pressure; Respiratory Mechanics; Spinal Nerve Roots
PubMed: 8904556
DOI: 10.1152/jappl.1996.81.4.1477 -
European Journal of Applied Physiology Jan 2021Abdominal hollowing exercise has been recommended to improve trunk stability. Trunk lean and foot lift exercises while sitting may easily promote abdominal muscle...
PURPOSE
Abdominal hollowing exercise has been recommended to improve trunk stability. Trunk lean and foot lift exercises while sitting may easily promote abdominal muscle activity even in people who cannot perform abdominal hollowing consciously. The purpose of the present study was to examine the changes in abdominal muscle activity and contribution rate of the transversus abdominis muscle (TrA) when leaning the trunk and lifting the foot during sitting.
METHODS
The muscle stiffnesses (indicators of muscle activity) of the right rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, and TrA of 14 healthy men were measured during abdominal hollowing and the following nine sitting tasks: reference posture, 15° and maximal posterior trunk lean, 20° and maximal ipsilateral and contralateral trunk lean, and ipsilateral and contralateral foot lift. The TrA contribution rate was calculated by dividing the TrA stiffness by the sum of the abdominal muscles' stiffnesses.
RESULTS
The TrA stiffness was significantly higher in abdominal hollowing than in reference posture, posterior and ipsilateral trunk lean, and ipsilateral foot lift, but not higher than in contralateral trunk lean and contralateral foot lift. There was no significant difference in the TrA contribution rates between abdominal hollowing and ipsilateral or contralateral foot lift.
CONCLUSION
The contralateral trunk lean or contralateral foot lift could enhance TrA activity for people who cannot perform abdominal hollowing consciously. The contralateral foot lift could particularly be beneficial to obtain selective activity of TrA.
Topics: Abdominal Muscles; Adult; Exercise; Foot; Humans; Male; Muscle Contraction; Sitting Position; Torso
PubMed: 32997259
DOI: 10.1007/s00421-020-04508-0 -
Journal of Sport Rehabilitation Nov 2019The training of abdominal muscles has a positive impact on the functional capacity of healthy adults, being applied practically in fields of athletics and fitness... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
BACKGROUND
The training of abdominal muscles has a positive impact on the functional capacity of healthy adults, being applied practically in fields of athletics and fitness through rehabilitation for lower back pain.
OBJECTIVE
The study compares abdominal muscle activity while performing graded isometric exercises on stable and unstable surfaces. The authors also examined perceived stability and comfort for the different surfaces.
METHODS
A total of 30 young, healthy adults performed 3 graded isometric exercises on a Pilates table, foam roller, and Oov (a newly developed tool). Ultrasound investigation measured transversus abdominis, internal oblique abdominis, and external oblique abdominis thickness during each task, comparing muscle thickness between conditions using general linear modeling.
RESULTS
Core abdominal activation was greater on the foam roller than the Oov and Pilates table during crook lying (bilateral leg support). Both Oov and foam roller elicited greater contralateral transversus abdominis and internal oblique abdominis thickness than the Pilates table during tabletop and straight leg raises (unilateral leg exercises). For transversus abdominis only, the foam roller elicited more muscle thickness than the Oov during straight leg raises. The Oov was rated more comfortable than the foam roller.
DISCUSSION
Exercises performed on the Oov and foam roller elicit core greater abdominal muscle thickness than those performed on a Pilates table. Unilateral leg exercises in a supine position elicit more contralateral muscle thickness than those with bilateral leg support.
CONCLUSIONS
These results provide information to support choices in exercise progression from flat stable to more unstable surfaces and from those with bilateral foot support to unilateral foot support. The Oov was more comfortable that the foam roller, and this may help with exercise adherence.
Topics: Abdominal Muscles; Adolescent; Adult; Exercise; Exercise Movement Techniques; Female; Healthy Volunteers; Humans; Male; Postural Balance; Ultrasonography; Young Adult
PubMed: 30526226
DOI: 10.1123/jsr.2017-0385 -
Journal of Bodywork and Movement... Apr 2016The aim of this study was to verify the effects of the Pilates Method (PM) training program on the thickness of the abdominal wall muscles, respiratory muscle strength... (Clinical Trial)
Clinical Trial
The aim of this study was to verify the effects of the Pilates Method (PM) training program on the thickness of the abdominal wall muscles, respiratory muscle strength and performance, and lung function. This uncontrolled clinical trial involved 16 sedentary women who were assessed before and after eight weeks of PM training. The thickness of the transversus abdominis (TrA), internal oblique (IO) and external oblique (EO) muscles was assessed. The respiratory muscle strength was assessed by measuring the maximum inspiratory (MIP) and expiratory (MEP) pressure. The lung function and respiratory muscle performance were assessed by spirometry. An increase was found in MIP (p = 0.001), MEP (p = 0.031), maximum voluntary ventilation (p = 0.020) and the TrA (p < 0.001), IO (p = 0.002) and EO (p < 0.001) thickness after the PM program. No alterations in lung function were found. These findings suggest that the PM program promotes abdominal wall muscle hypertrophy and an increase in respiratory muscle strength and performance, preventing weakness in abdominal muscles and dysfunction in ventilatory mechanics, which could favor the appearance of illnesses.
Topics: Abdominal Muscles; Adult; Exercise Movement Techniques; Exhalation; Female; Humans; Inhalation; Muscle Strength; Respiratory Function Tests; Respiratory Muscles
PubMed: 27210841
DOI: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2015.11.003 -
Physiotherapy Jun 2010To compare the effect of the abdominal draw-in manoeuvre with the abdominal draw-in manoeuvre in combination with ankle dorsiflexion on changes in muscle thickness and... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of the abdominal draw-in manoeuvre in combination with ankle dorsiflexion in strengthening the transverse abdominal muscle in healthy young adults: a preliminary, randomised, controlled study.
OBJECTIVES
To compare the effect of the abdominal draw-in manoeuvre with the abdominal draw-in manoeuvre in combination with ankle dorsiflexion on changes in muscle thickness and associated muscle activity in abdominal muscles.
DESIGN
A preliminary, randomised, controlled study.
SETTING
University laboratory.
PARTICIPANTS
Forty healthy adults (18 males, 22 females) were allocated at random to the experimental group [mean age (SD) 24 (1.6) years, n=20] or the control group [mean age (SD) 24 (1.9) years, n=20]. The experimental group performed the abdominal draw-in manoeuvre in combination with ankle dorsiflexion, and the control group performed the abdominal draw-in manoeuvre alone, five times a day.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Ultrasonography and electromyography were used to determine the intervention-related changes in muscle activity and the thickness of abdominal muscles during the abdominal draw-in manoeuvre or the abdominal draw-in manoeuvre in combination with ankle dorsiflexion.
RESULTS
A significant difference was found in the thickness of the transverse abdominal muscle between the groups [mean difference 0.24 cm, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.08 to 0.40, P=0.005. On electromyography, a significant difference was demonstrated in the amplitude of the transverse abdominal muscle contraction between the two techniques in the experimental group (mean difference 68.76 mV, 95% CI 53.16 to 84.36, P=0.000. The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC(2,1)) showed excellent test-retest reliability of ultrasound measurement of the abdominal muscles: 0.96 (95% CI 0.85 to 0.99) for the transverse abdominal muscle, 0.87 (95% CI 0.62 to 0.98) for the internal oblique muscle and 0.77 (95% CI 0.44 to 0.96) for the external oblique muscle.
CONCLUSIONS
This is the first study to demonstrate the additive effect of ankle dorsiflexion on deep core muscle thickness and activity, thus contributing to existing knowledge about therapeutic exercise for the effective management of low back pain.
Topics: Abdominal Muscles; Adult; Ankle Joint; Electromyography; Female; Humans; Male; Muscle Contraction; Physical Therapy Modalities; Reproducibility of Results; Ultrasonography
PubMed: 20420959
DOI: 10.1016/j.physio.2009.09.007 -
International Urogynecology Journal and... 2002Pelvic floor muscle exercises prescribed for the treatment of incontinence commonly emphasize concurrent relaxation of the abdominal muscles. The purpose of this study...
Pelvic floor muscle exercises prescribed for the treatment of incontinence commonly emphasize concurrent relaxation of the abdominal muscles. The purpose of this study was to investigate the interaction between individual muscles of the abdominal wall and the pelvic floor using surface and intramuscular electromyography, and the effect of their action on intra-abdominal pressure. Four subjects were tested in the supine and standing positions. The results indicated that the transversus abdominis (TA) and the obliquus internus (OI) were recruited during all pelvic floor muscle contractions. It was not possible for these subjects to contract the pelvic floor effectively while maintaining relaxation of the deep abdominal muscles. A mean intra-abdominal pressure rise of 10 mmHg (supine) was recorded during a maximum pelvic floor muscle contraction. These results suggest that advice to keep the abdominal wall relaxed when performing pelvic floor exercises is inappropriate and may adversely affect the performance of such exercises.
Topics: Abdominal Muscles; Adult; Electromyography; Exercise Therapy; Female; Humans; Muscle Contraction; Muscle, Skeletal; Pelvic Floor; Posture; Pressure; Urinary Incontinence, Stress
PubMed: 12054180
DOI: 10.1007/s001920200027 -
Scandinavian Journal of Rehabilitation... 1985The aim of this study was to compare trunk muscle strength and intra-abdominal pressure during lifting in low-back patients and in healthy controls. Twenty male workers...
The aim of this study was to compare trunk muscle strength and intra-abdominal pressure during lifting in low-back patients and in healthy controls. Twenty male workers with 2-18 year history (median 5.5 years) of low-back pain went through strength tests of trunk flexion and extension and a series of standardized lifts. The intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) and the EMG activity of the oblique abdominal muscles and of the erector spinae muscles were recorded. The results were compared with those in 20 healthy men exposed to similar loads at work and at leisure. The low-back patients had reduced abdominal muscle strength (-25%) compared with the healthy controls. The IAP during lifting was the same in the two groups despite the difference in abdominal muscle strength. The trunk extension strength was the same in the two groups. The oblique abdominal muscles were only moderately activated during lifting (5-15% of maximum activity with 25 kg) both in low-back patients and in healthy controls. The erector spinae muscle was strongly activated during lifting (40-60% of maximum activity with 25 kg) both in low-back patients and in healthy controls. During backlifting the duration of erector spinae activity varied. Back patients had extended activity compared with the healthy controls. Stiffness seemed to affect the duration of activity in both groups. The oblique abdominal muscles seem to be of no decisive importance to the IAP.
Topics: Abdomen; Abdominal Muscles; Adult; Back Pain; Electromyography; Humans; Male; Muscle Contraction; Muscles; Physical Exertion; Pressure
PubMed: 3159083
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of Bodywork and Movement... Apr 2024This study evaluated the activities of the Rectus Abdominis (RA) and Transversus Abdominis (TrA) muscles during abdominal bracing exercises (ABE) in different body...
AIMS
This study evaluated the activities of the Rectus Abdominis (RA) and Transversus Abdominis (TrA) muscles during abdominal bracing exercises (ABE) in different body positions.
METHODOLOGY
Electrical activities of both components of the RA and TrA muscles were assessed respectively in 25 obese females via surface electromyography during ABE in four (4) different body positions (crook lying, side lying, standing, and sitting). Each trial lasted for five (5) seconds with an hour rest period between trials.
RESULTS
Electrical activities of each of the right RA (p = 0.008) and TrA (p = 0.001) muscles significantly varied across the four trials. For the left components of the RA (p = 0.243) and TrA (p = 0.332) muscles, no significant differences were observed across trials. The highest muscular activities were recorded during the standing trial while the crook lying position resulted in the least muscular activities.
CONCLUSION
For the best results, abdominal bracing exercises should be performed in a standing position. The efficacy of adopting these body positions for long-term rehabilitation purposes should be investigated in future studies.
Topics: Humans; Female; Electromyography; Abdominal Muscles; Adult; Obesity; Posture; Young Adult; Rectus Abdominis; Exercise Therapy
PubMed: 38763559
DOI: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2024.01.008 -
Ortopedia, Traumatologia, Rehabilitacja 2014One of the methods of assessing the transverse abdominal muscle is ultrasonography, which visualizes its thickness and location. We set out to answer the question if the... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
BACKGROUND
One of the methods of assessing the transverse abdominal muscle is ultrasonography, which visualizes its thickness and location. We set out to answer the question if the transverse abdominal muscle can always be treated as located symmetrically among the trunk structures.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A group of 113 volunteers took part in the study. The volunteers did not experience any severe pain of musculoskeletal structures as determined by the VAS and ODI scales. The location of the transverse abdominal muscle (TRA) was determined with a Honda NS 2100 ultrasound system. Basing on original methodology, the distance between the place where the transverse abdominal muscle tendon becomes the muscle belly and the linea alba was measured. The next stage was the assessment of correlation of pain.
RESULTS
The results in the study group show a statistically significant difference in the distance between the place where the transverse abdominal muscle tendon becomes the muscle belly and the linea alba between left and right. No correlation was found between the asymmetry and pain intensity.
CONCLUSIONS
1. Differences in the distance between the transverse abdominal muscle and the linea alba on left and right side of the body were discovered in the study group. 2. No correlations were found between the presence of an asymmetry and lumbar pain in the study group.
Topics: Abdominal Muscles; Abdominal Wall; Adult; Female; Humans; Male; Ultrasonography
PubMed: 25404632
DOI: 10.5604/15093492.1119620