Article

Core Training: Evidence Translating to Better Performance and Injury Prevention

June 2010
Strength & Conditioning Journal 32(3):33-46

Authors:

University of Waterloo

THIS REVIEW ARTICLE RECOGNIZES THE UNIQUE FUNCTION OF THE CORE MUSCULATURE. IN MANY REAL LIFE ACTIVITIES, THESE MUSCLES ACT TO STIFFEN THE TORSO AND FUNCTION PRIMARILY TO PREVENT MOTION. THIS IS A FUNDAMENTALLY DIFFERENT FUNCTION FROM THOSE MUSCLES OF THE LIMBS, WHICH CREATE MOTION. BY STIFFENING THE TORSO, POWER GENERATED AT THE HIPS IS TRANSMITTED MORE EFFECTIVELY BY THE CORE. RECOGNIZING THIS UNIQUENESS, IMPLICATIONS FOR EXERCISE PROGRAM DESIGN ARE DISCUSSED USING PROGRESSIONS BEGINNING WITH CORRECTIVE AND THERAPEUTIC EXERCISES THROUGH STABILITY/MOBILITY, ENDURANCE, STRENGTH AND POWER STAGES, TO ASSIST THE PERSONAL TRAINER WITH A BROAD SPECTRUM OF CLIENTS.

Influence of Cranio-Cervical Position on Core Musculature Activation during Prone Plank Exercise: A Kinematic Controlled Electromyographic Analysis

Preprint

Full-text available

Sep 2023

This study aimed to investigate the influence of cranio-cervical position on the electromyographical activity of the core muscles during the prone plank exercise. Twenty healthy participants were enrolled in this study. Muscle activation was registered using surface electromyography (sEMG) in the rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO) and lumbar portion of erector spinae (LES). Three prone plank conditions were randomly evaluated, varying the position of the cranio-cervical segment during the prone plank performance (NEUTRAL, FLEXION and EXTENSION). sEMG signals of each individual muscle, Total Intensity (TI) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were analysed with statistical significance set at P<0.05. FLEXION revealed significantly higher TI values compared to NEUTRAL and EXTENSION (p = 0.000; effect size (ES) > 0.90). The RA presented larger activation in FLEXION compared to the other variations (p < 0.05; ES >0.70). FLEXION elicited a greater response compared to NEUTRAL for both sides of EO when compared to EXTENSION, and also for both sides of IO compared to the other conditions. Both FLEXION and EXTENSION reported higher RPE values compared to NEUTRAL. Cranio-cervical segment position influenced the electromyographical activation of core musculature, showing highest values when performing prone plank in a cranio-cervical flexion.

Original scientific research study The Effects of Lower Core Resistance Training on Rear Hand Punching Performance in Professional Boxers

Article

Oct 2021

No funding was received for this project 2 BLUF. This investigation into core resistance training, using isometric strengthening and stabilising exercises, such as the plank, that utilised the entirety of the kinetic chain, has positively impacted rear hand punching performance by 24% in professional boxers. 3 Abstract. This study aimed to investigate and identify if there was any impact on rear hand punching performance in professional boxers when trained using specific integrated core exercise modalities. Boxers use ballistic movements for striking performance; utilising the ground to potentiate ballistic force through the lower limbs, transferring through statically contracted hips and trunk before its released dynamically through the upper extremity of the striking hand. The experimental group carried out a six-week program that aimed to improve core stabilisation by using isometric and slowly controlled isotonic strengthening exercises such as the plank, bird bog, banded holds, side twists and pullovers, against a control group which used traditional methods such as sit-up. 20 male professional boxers from a U.K. boxing gym were recruited (24.2 + 2.9 years; 176.7 + 6.2cm; 76.5 + 10kg), Pre-and post-intervention testing included rear hand punch strike power, measured using the PowerKube TM. The experimental group significantly improved (p<0.001; g = 4.41) rear hand punch impact power (17781±1490 to 22014±1336 watts), compared with the control group (17326±1280 to 18152±1160 watts), demonstrating an extremely large effect size and a 24% improvement in power from pre-to post-test. A six-week training intervention using exercise modalities to strengthen and stabilise the core positively impacts punching power, supporting the value of the intervention as a suitable method for enhancing punching power when used with highly trained boxers. When aiming to improve punching power, it is advised that coaches who work with boxers should implement isometric and slowly controlled isotonic strengthening core exercises to improve the postural structure of the athlete, abstaining from forward trunk bending modalities such as the sit-up.

Effect of core training on skill-related physical fitness performance among soccer players: A systematic review

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2023

Aims This study aims to present an in-depth review of the available literature on the effect of core training on skill-related physical fitness performance among soccer players, as well as to offer suggestions for researchers and coaches. Methods The data in this study were presented based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline. Using scientific databases and web search engines including Scopus, Ebscohost, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar, researchers collected studies from the published literature. Only 26 of the 84 articles satisfied all the inclusion criteria and were thus included in the systematic review. The quality of each study was determined using the PEDro scale. The scores for 26 studies range between three and six. Results Core training can improve soccer players' skill-related physical fitness, including their power, speed, balance, and agility. Conclusion The core is the anatomic and functional center of the body as well as its “engine.” All movements emanate from the center of the body and are transmitted to the extremities. The core muscles differ from the limb muscles because they frequently cocontract, thus making the torso hard to the point whereby all the muscles work together to become synergists. Theoretically, a strong core permits the passage of force from the lower body to the upper body with minimal energy loss in the torso. Based on the 26 studies, this review suggests that core training should be incorporated into the daily training sessions of soccer players, with a minimum frequency and length of 15 min per training session, twice per week, for 4 weeks. Systematic review registration https://inplasy.com , identifier INPLASY202290045.

EFFECTS OF SLING EXERCISE ON THE CORE ENDURANCE AND PERFORMANCE OF BASKETBALL PLAYERS

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2023

Introduction Strong core stability and strength enable the trunk to transfer the maximum amount of torque to the terminal segments, which is conducive to improving athletic performance. Because sling training is a new core exercise method, its effect on trunk endurance relative to basketball performance has rarely been studied. Objective To investigate whether a core exercise program in a specific sports group can improve core and sports-specific performance. Methods A total of 40 college students majoring in basketball were randomly assigned to training and control groups. A standardized set of core endurance and basketball-specific performance tests were used to determine and assess the effects of sling training on trunk strength, endurance, and control. Results Flexor, extensor, and right and left lateral trunk flexor muscles endurance were significantly greater in the training group than in the control group, and the time to complete the layup obstacle course was shorter than in the control group at the end of the training program, p<0.01. No differences between the two groups were found in the penalty shot, the fixed position shot, or the vertical jump and reach at the end of the training program. Conclusions Sling exercises can improve the core endurance and strength of basketball players and increase the speed of lay-ups over obstructions. Level of evidence I; Randomized clinical trial. Core Stability; Abdominal Core; Muscle strength; Endurance training; Athletic performance

Can the craniocervical position modulate trunk muscle activation during a deadlift? A preliminary electromyographical analysis comparing conventional and sumo variations

Article

Full-text available

Nov 2022

To prevent back pain and injuries, it is essential to select appropriate strength training exercises and to ensure their correct technical execution. The deadlift exercise and its variations seem to be highly effective at activating the posterior body kinetic chain. This exercise is therefore recommended, when is properly performed, for injury and back pain prevention in both athletes and inactive people. Therefore, a more comprehensive understanding of the deadlift exercise is still necessary. The aim of this study was to compare trunk muscle activity in conventional and sumo deadlift variations performed in various craniocervical positions. Similar submaximal loads were used across all experimental conditions. Three participants with strength training experience (age: 21.67±1.15 years, height: 169±10 cm, body mass: 75.13 ± 7.00 kg and body fat percentage: 9.87±2.49 %) performed the conventional and sumo deadlift variations in different craniocervical positions: neutral, extension and flexion. Participants followed a familiarization session applying the same submaximal load, number of repetitions, lifting velocity and exercise variations than in the posterior testing session. Trunk muscle activation was quantified via surface electromyography (EMG). Participants presented greater latissimus dorsi activation in the neutral condition, and this activation level was higher during the conventional deadlift variation. The greatest EMG response was found in the erector spinae muscles in the extension position, especially in the conventional variation. Finally, the greatest trapezium musculature activation was found in the flexion condition. During the sumo performance, the highest trapezium activity was detected in the middle trapezium fibers whereas during the conventional performance, the highest value was recorded in the superior trapezium fibers. Deadlift variations and craniocervical positions thus did trigger different levels of myoelectric activation in the analyzed musculature, showing how the craniocervical position influences the activity of posterior trunk musculature.

İtfaiyeci Adaylarının Core Kas Dayanıklılığı ile Dinamik Denge Performansları Arasındaki İlişkinin Değerlendirilmesi

Article

Full-text available

Jul 2023

İtfaiyeciler, genellikle tehlikeli koşullar altında dinamik aktiviteler gerektiren olaylara müdahale etmektedirler. Olaylara müdahale ettikleri esnada denge sorunları sebebiyle düşüp yaralanmaktadırlar. Core kaslarındaki yorgunluğun, dinamik dengenin azalmasına sebep olduğu ve denge kayıpları ile sonuçlandığı yapılan çalışmalarda bildirilmektedir. Bu çalışma, iftaiyeci adaylarının core kas dayanıklılığı ile dinamik denge performansları arasındaki ilişkilerin değerlendirilmesi amacıyla planlanmıştır. Ortalama yaşları 19,11±1,34 yıl, ortalama boy uzunlukları 176,06±6,56 cm ve ortalama vücut ağırlıkları 69,36±12,25 kg olan, toplam 26 erkek itfaiyeci adayı, basit rastgele örnekleme yöntemi ile araştırma için seçilmiş ve araştırmaya gönüllü olarak katılmıştır. Katılımcılara antropometrik (boy uzunluğu, kol boyu uzunluğu, bacak boyu uzunluğu, vücut ağırlığı, beden kitle indeksi ve vücut yağ yüzdesi) ve performans (core kas dayanıklılığı ve dinamik denge) ölçümleri uygulanmıştır. İtfaiyeci adaylarında core kas dayanıklılığı ile dinamik denge kompozit skorları arasındaki ilişkiler incelendiğinde, gövde ekstansiyon ile alt ekstremite sağ kompozit (r=0.558, p<0.01) ve sol kompozit (r=0.597, p<0.01) skorları arasında doğrusal olarak orta düzeyde ilişkiler; gövde fleksiyon ile alt ekstremite sağ kompozit skoru arasında doğrusal olarak zayıf ilişki (r=0.419, p<0.05); yan köprü test skorları ile alt ekstremite sağ kompozit (r=0.492, p<0.05) ve sol kompozit (r=0.480, p<0.05) skorları arasında doğrusal olarak zayıf ilişkiler; yüzükoyun köprü test skorları ile alt ekstremite sağ kompozit (r=0.508, p<0.01) ve sol kompozit (r=0.506, p<0.01) skorları arasında doğrusal olarak orta düzeyde ilişkiler tespit edilmiştir. Sonuç olarak, core kas dayanıklılığının düşük olması itfaiyeci adayı öğrencilerin dinamik denge yeteneklerini olumsuz yönde etkilemektedir. Özellikle alt ekstremite dinamik denge yeteneği, core kas dayanıklılığından üst ekstremite denge yeteneğine kıyasla istatistiksel olarak daha fazla etkilenmektedir.

Effects of physical training programs on female tennis players' performance: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Article

Full-text available

Aug 2023

Background: Tennis is among the world's most popular and well-studied sports. Physical training has commonly been used as an intervention among athletes. However, a comprehensive review of the literature on the effects of physical training programs on female tennis players' performance is lacking. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the effects of physical training on performance outcomes in female tennis players. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted on Web of Science, PubMed, SPORTDicus, Scopus, and CNKI from inception until July 2023 to select relevant articles from the accessible literature. Only controlled trials were included if they examined the effects of physical training on at least one measure of tennis-specific performance in female tennis players. The Cochrane RoB tool was employed to assess the risk of bias. The CERT scale was used to examine the quality of program information. The GRADE approach was adopted to evaluate the overall quality of the evidence. The Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software was used for the meta-analysis. Results: Nine studies were selected for the systematic review and seven for the meta-analysis, totaling 222 individuals. The study's exercise programs lasted 6-36 weeks, with training sessions ranging from 30 to 80 min, conducted one to five times per week. Muscle power (ES = 0.72; p = 0.003), muscle strength (ES = 0.65; p = 0.002), agility (ES = 0.69; p = 0.002), serve velocity (ES = 0.72; p = 0.013), and serve accuracy (ES = 1.14; p = 0.002) demonstrated significant improvement following physical training, while no notable changes in linear sprint speed (ES = 0.63; p = 0.07) were detected. Conclusion: Although research on physical training in sports is diversified, studies on training interventions among female tennis players are scarce. This review found that existing training programs yield some favorable outcomes for female tennis players. However, further research with high methodological quality is warranted on the tailoring of specific training programs for female tennis players. There should be more consistent measuring and reporting of data to facilitate meaningful data pooling for future meta-analyses.

EFECTO DE UN PROGRAMA DE ENTRENAMIENTO CON EJERCICIOS ISOMÉTRICOS SOBRE FACTORES DE RIESGO DE LESIÓN DE MÚSCULOS ISQUIOSURALES EN FUTBOLISTAS AMATEURS. ESTUDIO PILOTO

Article

Full-text available

Jul 2023

Juan Miguel Lucas

En el fútbol las lesiones musculares representan el 38%. La musculatura isquiosural (HSM) fue el grupo muscular más frecuentemente lesionado, representando el 39.5% de todas las lesiones musculares y el 16.3% de todas las lesiones. Se ha demostrado que el entrenamiento excéntrico de los isquiosurales aumenta la longitud de los fascículos de la cabeza larga del bíceps femoral (BFlh), es decir, este entrenamiento disminuye el riesgo de lesión, pero puede conducir a la aparición de dolor muscular. Aunque, es menos probable que un programa de entrenamiento con ejercicios isométricos provoque dolor muscular. Por ello, el objetivo del presente estudio piloto fue analizar los efectos de un programa de entrenamiento con ejercicios isométricos (10 semanas) sobre factores de riesgo de lesión en la HSM en jugadores de fútbol amateurs. Los participantes (n=18) fueron asignados aleatoriamente a un grupo control (n=9) y experimental (n=9). Se evaluaron los síntomas y riesgo de lesión en HSM (Hamstring Outcome Score), potencia (salto vertical) y fuerza (single leg bridge test) de HSM. Los análisis mostraron que en el grupo experimental hubo mejorías en todas las variables, pero solo resultaron significativas las mejorías en fuerza de HSM derechos (p=0.003, d=0.679), y total (p=0.038, d=0.52). Se puede concluir que un programa de entrenamiento con ejercicios isométricos antes de la sesión técnico-táctica podría reducir el riesgo de lesión en HSM, aunque estos resultados deben ser tomados con precaución y se recomienda la realización de futuros estudios con una muestra mayor.

Trunk muscles influence lower limb performance in crossfit athletes: A cross-sectional study

Article

Full-text available

Jul 2023
Physiother Res Int

Introduction: Crossfit is a sport that combines cardio-respiratory and muscle endurance, strength, flexibility, muscle power, speed, coordination, agility and balance. However, there is no information in the literature regarding functional performance of the lower limbs and the endurance of core muscles in this population. The objective of this study was to evaluate the correlation between trunk strength/endurance and lower limb function through lower limb symmetry and balance tests. Methods: Forty-one young adults aged 19-41 years (26.3 ± 5.4) participated, 15 sedentary and 26 cross fit practitioners for at least one year. The tests were as follows: Biering-Sørensen Test of trunk extensor endurance, Trunk Flexors Endurance Test at 60°, Side Plank Endurance Test, Lumbar Dynamometry, Single-Leg Hop Test and Star Excursion Balance Test. Results and discussion: Although there were higher values, there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between the groups for lower limb symmetry and strength of trunk flexor muscles. For balance, strength and resistance variables of trunk extensor muscles, the values found were higher in crossfit practitioners than in sedentary subjects. Conclusion: There is a relationship between trunk muscle strength and endurance and lower limb balance. Moreover, cross fit athletes showed higher values of trunk muscle strength/endurance and lower limb balance compared to sedentary adults.

Effect of core training on athletic and skill performance of basketball players: A systematic review

Article

Full-text available

Jun 2023
PLOS ONE

A limited number of studies focus on the effect of core training on basketball players' athletic performance and skills. This systematic reviewaimed to comprehensively and critically review the available studies in the literature that investigate the impact of core training on basketball players' physical and skill performance, and then offer valuable recommendations for both coaches and researchers. Thedata collection, selection, and analysis adhered to the PRISMA protocol. English databases, including Ebscohost, Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar,were searched until September 2022. A total of eight articles were included, with four studies comparing the effects of core training versus traditional strength training or usual basketball training. All studies investigated the impact of core training on athletic performance. The findings revealed that core training can help players improve their overall athletic and skill performance, particularly in the areas of strength, sprinting,jumping, balance, agility, shooting, dribbling, passing, rebounding, and stepping. In addition, core training, particularly on unstable surfaces,as well as combining static and dynamic core training,improvebasketball players' athletic and skill performance. Despite the relativelylittle evidence demonstrating the effect of core training on endurance, flexibility, and defensive skills, this review demonstrates that it should be incorporated into basketball training sessions.

ЗБOРНИК РАДОВА 9. MEЂУНAРOДНA НAУЧНA КOНФEРEНЦИJA "АНТРОПОЛОШКИ И ТЕОАНТРОПОЛОШКИ ПОГЛЕД НА ФИЗИЧКЕ АКТИВНОСТИ" BOOK OF PROCEDEEINGS 9 th INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE "ANTHROPOLOGICAL AND TEO-ANTHROPOLOGICAL VIEWS ON PHYSICAL ACTIVITY"

Conference Paper

Full-text available

Mar 2022

Abstract: The specificity of learning motor movements in artistic gymnastics is the state in which the action should be performed automatically, in order to reduce or minimize the risk of unsuccessful performance. Properly learned floor exercises requires technically correct movement, which is provided by the FIG Regulations for a given discipline. All those acrobatic exercises are characterized by changes in extremely short-term, alternating support of the arms and legs on the ground, where the body is very often in the phase without support, ie in the flight phase. The subject of this paper are basic floor discipline exercises that are realized in the programs of the subject Gymnastics or Exercises on apparatus in primary schools in the Republic of Serbia, while the aim of the paper is a methodical procedure of training certain basic floor exercises, through certain phases, to a properly learned performance technique. Some researchers have suggested that the best way to do a new exercise is through a step-by-step approach, which is known in coaching as a progressive approach to learning. The steps taken in teaching new motor actions may vary and there may not be a single “best way”. The basic gymnastic floor exercises that are selected from the Curriculum of primary schools are basic forward movements. During the training process, the new student (gymnast) is enabled to develop a proprioceptive consciousness that enables him to identify himself and correct his posture much more effectively. Developing greater proprioceptive and kinesthetic awareness is important for gaining greater control during dynamic work of certain phases in the training model. In the modern age of great development of information technologies, modern electronics means such as video cameras, computers, digital cameras, etc. are of great help, but if we do not know the models of the elements we analyze, even these are not helpful. This research examines the problems of the learning process of some basic floor exercises and it’s modern approach, which is reflected in a faster and more efficient learning method. The scientific approach to the evaluation of analogy is not only applicable to artistic gymnastics, but it’s implementation is possible in all branches of sports where the goal is to achieve the desired results faster and more successful. Key words: training, method, artistic gymnastics, floor

book of proceedings 2022

Conference Paper

Full-text available

Mar 2022

Raid Mekic

Sporda epigenetik faktörler

Article

Full-text available

May 2023

Sedat Kahya

Çalışmamız sportif performans üzerinde genetik faktörler kadar epigenetik faktörlerinde önemli bir güç olabileceğini belirlemek amacıyla yapılmıştır. Sportif performans, birçok faktörden etkilenen kompleks bir olgudur. Genetik etmenler, sportif performansın sınırlarını belirleyebilir. Kalıtımsal kodları değiştirmeden DNA üzerinde meydana gelen birtakım farklılaşmalar, epigenetik olarak tanımlanmaktadır. Epigenetik mekanizmalar; DNA metilasyonu, histon modifikasyonu ve Noncoding RNA mekanizmalarıdır. Çalışmamızda epigenetik mekanizmaların, spor performansı ve birey sağlığı bakımından önemli bir etmen olabileceği sonucu görülmüştür. Epigenetik mekanizmalar; ateroskleroz, kanser, solunum sistemi gibi hastalıklarda koruyucu bir etkiye sahip olabilmektedir. Sporcunun egzersize uyumu sonucu gelişen adaptasyon da epigenetik üzerinde etkilidir. Sonuç olarak, sportif performans hem genetik hem de epigenetik faktörlerden etkilenen kompleks bir olgudur.

Unstable compared to stable core exercises improve muscular endurance in preadolescents and adolescents: an eight-month randomized trial

Article

Full-text available

Jun 2023

Although previous studies have indicated the importance of a core strength and muscular endurance training in preadolescents and adolescents, there is a lack of evidence regarding effects of a long-term core training in unstable conditions. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of core training in stable versus unstable body positions on core and upper body strength and muscular endurance in non-trained children aged 11-14 years. Participants were randomly assigned to either stable (SC, N=569) or unstable (UC, N=633) core-exercise group and assessed at baseline, four, and eight months for sit-ups, dynamic trunk extension, static trunk extension, and push-ups. Repeated measures ANOVA, with time as a within factor, and exercise group, age, and gender as between factors, was employed for data analysis. Post-hoc comparisons showed greater absolute improvements after the eight-month training in UC compared to SC for all measures, age groups, and both genders (p≤.01), and greater relative improvements (differences in Cohen’s d between UC and SC ranged from 0.08 to 1.58), except for static trunk extension in 11- and 12-year-old participants. However, the differences between SC and UC in four-month effects were inconsistent. These results point out that core exercises in unstable compared to stable conditions have a greater capacity for long-term improvement of core and upper body strength and muscular endurance in non-trained preadolescents and adolescents.

Urinary Incontinence, Kegel Exercises, Core Training and Collagen - A Systematic Review

Article

Jan 2023

Aim: The purpose of this scientific review is to review the existing literature on related research on the relationship between urinary incontinence, Kegel exercises applied to prevent urinary incontinence, Core Training and Collagen use. In addition to Kegel exercises applied to individuals in urinary incontinence disorders, Core area training and collagen use is to provide scientific support and guide to positively change the course of the disease. Methods: The research was carried out with document analysis and scanning model. Document analysis involves the analysis of written materials containing information about the case or cases intended to be investigated. In the study, a literature review was conducted on urinary incontinence, Kegel exercises, Core training and Collagen. In the literature search, reliable science-based indexes such as Elseiver, Springer, Google Scholar, Pub Med, Med Gen, Tübitak, Yok National Thesis Center and Dergi Park were searched. Results: In this review, the causes of urinary incontinence, its types, which gender it is more effective and treatment methods are presented as a result of literature review. In addition, Kegel exercises, which are at the beginning of the treatment methods, and supporting Core exercises are given as examples. Conclusion: In conclusion; Urinary incontinence, which is defined as urinary incontinence, is a disorder that is more common in women than in men. For this reason, it is important for women to take precautions especially in the face of situations that cause this ailment. Especially in the fight against this ailment, it can be recommended to apply Kegel exercises that strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, as well as to perform core training that provides the strength of the abdominal region to support this region and to work the internal balance muscles, and to use the collagen that is structurally in the pelvic fascia as a supportive nutrient.

The influence of verbal encouragement on corporal stability during the traditional frontal plank exercise in young health adults: a pilot study

Article

Full-text available

Mar 2023

Background: It’s known that the frontal plank exercise presents a greater demand of the biomechanics stability and it is largely prescribed and used during the practice by the health professionals, known the verbal encouragement influence on corporal stability through the professional feedback can contribute positively in the clinical, social and scientific field. Objectives: Verify the verbal encouragement influences on corporal stability during the traditional frontal plank exercise in young health adults. Methods: Subjects were selected in an intentional non-probabilistic way, constituting a sample of young male adults, with normal body mass index, moderate to advanced self-reported physical activity level and with, at least, six months of previous resistance training experience. Participants were instructed to perform the traditional frontal plank for 30 seconds keeping all the items in the description of the technique, no command was given besides the following verbal incentives: “Contract, stabilize, force, maintain and force”. After the execution, the professional self-reported his perception of body stability, writing down his answers on the control form. Results: The sample consisted of 10 participants, with a mean age of 30.6 years (±4.03). All male, white and with no history of trauma/injury. For individuals with less than one time of weekly physical exercise, verbal encouragement showed a positive response in the perception of body stability. As for the remainder, who practiced physical exercise with greater recurrence, the evaluator's perception of high stability was given both with and without verbal encouragement. Conclusion: This pilot study showed that in individuals with less time of weekly physical exercise, verbal encouragement showed a positive response in body stability, changing from moderate to high. But, the individuals with more time of practice, the verbal encouragement showed no response in the perception of body stability.

The Role and Development of Strength for Elite Judo Athletes

Article

Full-text available

Mar 2023
Strength Condit

Sekiz Haftalık Kor Egzersizlerinin Makaralı Okçuların Atış Performansına Etkisi

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2022

Sedat Kahya

Our study aims that investigation to effect on shot performance and range of motion, balance, vertical jump, claw force, core force that have been applied to athletes who engaged in the sport of roller archery during 8 weeks. The women roller archers who train regularly have been included in this study The physical and anthropometric characteristics of the athletes have been measured twice; 18 meter shot performance and core force stabilities, level range of motion, balance stabilities, vertical jump, claw force, double arm lenght (159±7,4), body mass index (22,83±2,8), weight (57,97±8,4), height of athletes (160,4±6,8). As statisticial way, Shapiro Wilk test has been used to determine whether the data shows normal distribition or not. After It has been detected that the data shows normal distribition, paired simple independent T test has been applied to participants. At the end of the study, statistically important differences were found in the dual comparison of the range of motion levels of the athletes (p<0,05). In other sub-dimensions, no significant differences were found (p>0,05). We believe that our study can be an important basis for later studies. ÖZ Çalışmamız makaralı okçuluk sporuyla uğraşan sporculara uygulanan 8 haftalık kor egzersizlerinin; pençe kuvveti, dikey sıçrama, denge, hareket genişliği seviyesi ile atış performansı üzerine etkisinin incelenmesi amacıyla yapılmıştır. Çalışmaya 11 elit düzey düzenli antrenman yapan bayan makaralı okçu dâhil edilmiştir. Sporcuların fiziksel ve antropometrik özellikleri iki kez ölçülmüştür; sporcuların boy uzunlukları (160,4±6,8), vücut ağırlıkları (57,97±8,4), beden kitle indeksleri (22,83±2,8), çift kol uzunlukları (159±7,4), pençe kuvveti, dikey sıçrama, denge stabilitesi, hareket genişliği seviyesi, kor gücü stabilitesi ve 18 metre atış performansı. İstatistiksel yöntem olarak, Verilerin normal dağılım gösterip göstermediğini belirlemek için Shapiro Wilk Testi kullanıldı. Verilerin normal dağılım gösterdiği tespit edildikten sonra katılımcılara independent T test uygulandı. Çalışma sonunda, sporcuların hareket genişliği seviyelerinin ikili karşılaştırmasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı düzeyde farklılıklar bulunmuştur (p<0,05). Diğer alt-boyutlarda ise anlamlı düzeyde farklılıklara rastlanmamıştır (p>0,05). Çalışmamız daha sonra yapılacak çalışmalar için önemli bir dayanak olabileceği kanaatindeyiz.

PHYSICAL CAPACITY OF BASKETBALL PLAYERS IN RESISTANCE TRAINING

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2023

Introduction Coaches’ focus on young athletes is to understand the critical period of their physical and mental development, educating sports and personal skills while expanding their awareness of teamwork. Objective Study the effect of resistance training on the physical fitness of young basketball players. Methods 20 high school students with outstanding sports skills were selected as volunteers for this research. According to the random sampling method, 20 athletes were divided into the experimental and control group. The experiment lasted 6 weeks, consisting of three weekly resistance training sessions. Only the experimental group used elastic bands, while the control group performed the same movement as the experimental group without resistance. Results The test results of the experimental group were expressive, proving that resistance training can achieve a beneficial effect on players. Conclusion Allying resistance training to basketball exercise protocol can optimize basal fitness and focused fitness indicators in young basketball players, helping to achieve better practical results. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigating treatment outcomes. Endurance Training; Basketball; Physical Conditioning, Human

The Effect of McGill Core Stability Training on Movement Patterns, Shooting Accuracy, and Throwing Performance in Male Basketball Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2023
J SPORT REHABIL

Context: Core stability training has been recommended as a vital element in improving movement's pattern and athletic performance. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of 12-week McGill core stability training on movement patterns, shooting accuracy, and throwing performance. Design: Randomized controlled clinical trial. Setting: University research laboratory. Methods: Forty male basketball players were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group completed 12-week McGill core stability training, while the control group completed routine exercise training. Patterns of functional movements was measured through functional movement screen (FMS), shooting accuracy measured by static 3-point shooting (S3P) and dynamic 60-second 3-point shooting test, and throwing performance measured by Functional Throwing Performance Index. Results: Comparison revealed that regardless of received training, after 12 weeks both groups showed significant improvement in all outcome measures. However, experimental group had significantly higher post test scores in FMS (P = .02), S3P (P = .007), and dynamic 60-second 3-point shooting test (P = .01). For Functional Throwing Performance Index, there was no group differences (P = .96). The results of follow-up assessments showed for all measurements including FMS (P = .03), S3P (P = .004), dynamic 60-second 3-point shooting test (P < .001), and Functional Throwing Performance Index (P = .005); experimental group had higher scores than the control group. Conclusions: According to the results, implementing McGill core stability training in basketball routine training would be advisable since significant improvement can be obtained in the measured parameters.

Altyapıda Oynayan Genç Erkek Futbolcularda Dinamik Core Egzersizlerinin Vücut Kompozisyonuna ve Bazı Biyomotor Yetilere Etkisi The Effect of Dynamic Core Exercises on Body Composition and Some Bio Motor Skills in Young Male Football Players Playing in the Youth Field

Article

Full-text available

Dec 2022

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of dynamic core exercises to be applied for 8 weeks on body composition and some bio motor abilities (vertical jump, 10m – 30m speed, Wingate anaerobic power, back and leg strength) of young male football players playing in the youth field. The athletes (n=30) participating in the study were divided into 2 different groups, 15 as the experimental group and 15 as the control group by random sampling method. While the experimental group was doing football training 3 days a week, a dynamic core exercise program was applied for about 25 minutes beforehand. Control group participated only in football training. Athletes before the study and 8th at the end of the week, body fat percentage for body composition, bio motor abilities for 10 m - 30 m speed, vertical jump, Wingate anaerobic power test, back and leg strength measurements were taken. Intra-group analyses of the training effect were made with the Paired Simple T test, and between-group analyses were made with the Independent Simple T test. According to the analysed results, statistically significant differences were observed in experimental group's body composition, vertical jump, 10 m speed, absolute peak p, relative peak p, absolute average p, relative average p, back and leg strength values.

The Effect of Core Training on Agility, Explosive Strength and Balance in Young Female Volleyball PlayersGenç Kadın Voleybolcularda Core Antrenmanlarının Çeviklik, Patlayıcı Kuvvet ve Denge Parametreleri Üzerine Etkisi

Article

Full-text available

Dec 2022

The present study aimed to determine the effect of core training on agility, explosive strength and balance in young female volleyball players. 20 young female volleyball players volunteered to participate in the study. Vertical jump, counter movement jump, pro-agility and dynamic balance tests were applied to all volleyball players before and after the core-training program. The athletes were selected randomly and divided into two groups as study group (n=10) and control group (n=10). The study group performed core exercises added to the beginning of the training sessions for 8 weeks (3days/week) in addition to volleyball training. The control group, on the other hand, continued volleyball training alone. At the end of 8 weeks, the tests applied in the pre-test were repeated and analyzed for all participants in order to determine the effect of core training on agility, explosive strength and balance parameters. In the statistical analysis of the study, Kurtosis-Skewness test was used to determine the normal distribution of the data. Mixed Anova and two-independent independent-samples t-test were used to make in-group and between-group comparisons. During the study, the level of significance was accepted as 0.05. A statistically significant difference was found in the balance precision index, static vertical jump (cm), counter movement jump (cm) and pro-agility agility test (sec) parameters when comparing the study and control groups. As a result, core exercises performed in addition to volleyball training appear to have a positive effect on agility, explosive strength and balance performances.

Alt ve Üst Gövde Statik Germe Egzersizlerinin Postüral Kontrole EtkisiThe Effect of Lower and Upper Body Static Stretching Exercises on Postural Control

Article

Full-text available

Dec 2022

Bu araştırmada 11-13 yaş basketbolcularda üst gövde, alt gövde ve tüm gövdeye uygulanan statik germe egzersizlerinin postüral kontrole etkisini tespit etmek amaçlandı. Çalışmaya yaş ortalaması 11,44 ± 0,89 yıl, boy uzunluğu 158,25 ± 7,79 cm, vücut ağırlığı 54,19 ± 12,30 kg ve spor deneyimi 2,34 ± 1,17 yıl olan 16 erkek basketbol oyuncusu gönüllü olarak dahil edildi. Katılımcılar farklı günlerde 4 ayrı deney koşulunda araştırmaya dahil edildi: 1) Üst Gövde Germe Egzersiz Grubu (ÜGGE), 2) Alt Gövde Germe Egzersiz Grubu (AGGE), 3) Karışık germe egzersiz Grubu (KGE), 4) Kontrol Grubu (K). Rastgele olarak çalışma koşullarına dahil edilen katılımcılar her biri 30 sn süren ve aralarında 15 sn dinlenme verilen statik germe egzersizlerini yaklaşık 12 dk uyguladılar. Statik germe egzersizleri öncesi ve sonrasında postüral kontrol ölçümleri Denge Hata Puanlama Sistemi (DHPS) kullanılarak gerçekleştirildi. Köpük zemin DHPS puanları hem ön testte hem de son testte gruplar arasında anlamlı düzeyde farklı değildi (p>0,05). Köpük zemin ÜGGE ön test – son test fark puanları AGGE’den yüksekti, KGE fark puanları ise AGGE’den ve Kontrol grubundan daha yüksekti (p<0,05). Köpük zeminde ÜGGE, AGGE ve K gruplarının ön test – son test karşılaştırmalarında anlamlı farklılık bulunmadı (p>0,05), ancak KGE son test DHPS puanları ön testten daha düşüktü (p<0,05). Toplam DHPS puanları incelendiğinde; ön testte, son testte ve fark puanlarının araştırma grupları arasında anlamlı düzeyde farklı olmadığı bulundu (p>0,05). ÜGGE, AGGE ve K gruplarının ön test – son test toplam DHPS puanlarında farklılık görülmezken (p>0,05) KGE’nin toplam DHPS puanlarının son testte anlamlı düzeyde azalma tespit edildi (p<0,05). Sonuç olarak; üst ve alt vücuda yönelik statik germe egzersizleri postural kontrolü etkilemedi, buna karşın tüm vücuda yönelik statik germe egzersizleri postural salımın performansını artırdı.

AKTYWNOŚĆ FIZYCZNA I INNE ZACHOWANIA ZDROWOTNE W TEORII I BADANIACH NAUKOWYCH Physical activity and other health-related behaviors in theory and scientifi c research

Book

Full-text available

Oct 2022

Monografia stanowi swoistą kompilację doświadczeń praktyków oraz wyników badań naukowych związanych z zachowaniami zdrowotnymi współczesnych ludzi, ich determinantami i konsekwencjami. Składa się z pięciu części i obejmuje łącznie 22 rozdziały. Treści zawarte w pracy dotyczą między innymi, psychospołecznych aspektów zachowań zdrowotnych, wykorzystania nowoczesnych technologii (aplikacje mobilne i wirtualna rzeczywistość) w promocji zdrowia i w treningu, aktywności fizycznej w wybranych grup społecznych oraz jej motywów, uwarunkowań i prozdrowotnego oddziaływania. Zamieszczone w monografii rozdziały poglądowe i badawcze powinny być przydatne dla osób zajmujących się szeroko rozumianą promocją zdrowia i kultury fizycznej. Monografia dedykowana jest studentom, fizjoterapeutom, lekarzom, nauczycielom wychowania fizycznego, trenerom personalnym, instruktorom fitness i przedstawicielom innych pokrewnych zawodów. https://sbc.org.pl/dlibra/publication/657170 Spis treści 1. Pandemia Covid-19 a aktywność fizyczna i inne zachowania zdrowotne 1.1. FIZJOLOGICZNE EFEKTY TRENINGU FIZYCZNEGO W MASECZKACH ZALECANYCH DO NOSZENIA W OKRESIE PANDEMII COVID-19 – PRZEGLĄD PIŚMIENNICTWA Michał Hejduk, Kamila Meca, Julia Piskor, Jolanta Rudel, Agnieszka Nawrocka 15 1.2. OTYŁOŚĆ A ZWIĘKSZONE RYZYKO ZAKAŻENIA I CIĘŻKIEGO PRZEBIEGU COVID-19 – PRZEGLĄD PIŚMIENNICTWA Marcin Rojek, Piotr Polechoński, Martyna Żurek, Agnieszka Nawrocka 35 2. Psychospołeczne aspekty zachowań zdrowotnych 2.1. ANALIZA NAWYKÓW ŻYWIENIOWYCH W ZAKRESIE WYBRANYCH GRUP PRODUKTÓW WŚRÓD OSÓB ZAGROŻONYCH ROZWOJEM ZABURZEŃ LĘKOWYCH Sandra Nandzik, Paweł Dębski, Małgorzata Dębska-Janus 53 2.2. PRĘŻNOŚĆ PSYCHICZNA JAKO DETERMINANTA NASILENIA ZACHOWAŃ ZDROWOTNYCH. PRZYKŁAD STUDENTÓW AKADEMII WYCHOWANIA FIZYCZNEGO W KATOWICACH Małgorzata Dębska-Janus, Paweł Dębski, Sandra Nandzik, Jacek Polechoński 69 2.3. ZACHOWANIA SEDENTARNE MŁODYCH DOROSŁYCH A SOCJALIZACJA DO KULTURY FIZYCZNEJ W RODZINIE Ewa Krzyżak-Szymańska, Andrzej Szymański 83 2.4. POZIOM AKTYWNOŚCI FIZYCZNEJ STUDENTÓW ŚLĄSKICH UCZELNI A PROBLEMOWE KORZYSTANIE Z INTERNETU Oliwia Szymańska 103 2.5. REALIZACJA PODSTAWY PROGRAMOWEJ Z WYCHOWANIA FIZYCZNEGO W ZAKRESIE EDUKACJI ZDROWOTNEJ NA PRZYKŁADZIE WYBRANYCH SZKÓŁ PONADPODSTAWOWYCH KATOWIC Dorota Olex-Zarychta 123 3. Wykorzystanie aplikacji mobilnych i wirtualnej rzeczywistości w promocji zdrowia i w treningu 3.1. OCENA INTENSYWNOŚCI WYSIŁKU FIZYCZNEGO PODCZAS UPRAWIANIA AKTYWNEJ GRY WIDEO „RING FIT ADVENTURE” Z OBCIĄŻENIEM I BEZ OBCIĄŻENIA KOŃCZYN DOLNYCH Maciej Tomik, Karolina Kwiotek, Piotr Polechoński, Jacek Polechoński 147 3.2. CZY BOKS W WIRTUALNEJ RZECZYWISTOŚCI MOŻE BYĆ INTENSYWNĄ FORMĄ TRENINGU DLA ZAWODNIKÓW MIESZANYCH SZTUK WALKI? Jacek Polechoński, Alan Langer, Piotr Polechoński, Karolina Kostorz 169 3.3. APLIKACJE MOBILNE W PROMOCJI AKTYWNEGO STYLU ŻYCIA Piotr Polechoński, Marcin Rojek, Jacek Polechoński 185 4. Aktywność fi zyczna wybranych grup społecznych oraz jej motywy i uwarunkowania 4.1. BADANIA PILOTAŻOWE AKTYWNOŚCI FIZYCZNEJ STUDENTÓW AKADEMII WYCHOWANIA FIZYCZNEGO W KATOWICACH W ŚWIETLE NAJNOWSZYCH REKOMENDACJI ŚWIATOWEJ ORGANIZACJI ZDROWIA Maria Niestrój-Jaworska, Arkadiusz Mynarski, Małgorzata Dębska-Janus, Jacek Polechoński, Agnieszka Nawrocka, Michał Rozpara, Rajmund Tomik 199 4.2. POZIOM AKTYWNOŚCI FIZYCZNEJ I PRZYKŁADY DOBRYCH PRAKTYK W AKTYWIZACJI OSÓB Z DYSFUNKCJĄ WZROKU – PRZEGLĄD PIŚMIENNICTWA Barbara Rosołek, Diana Celebańska 213 4.3. ZRÓŻNICOWANIE FORM AKTYWNOŚCI FIZYCZNEJ DLA OSÓB Z NIEPEŁNOSPRAWNOŚCIĄ INTELEKTUALNĄ - OLIMPIADY SPECJALNE ŚLĄSKIE Diana Celebańska, Barbara Rosołek 229 4.4. PORÓWNANIE POZIOMU ZACHOWAŃ ZDROWOTNYCH A W SZCZEGÓLNOŚCI AKTYWNOŚCI FIZYCZNEJ DZIECI I MŁODZIEŻY Z PRAWIDŁOWĄ I NADMIERNĄ MASĄ CIAŁA Kinga Linnert, Maria Niestrój-Jaworska 249 4.5. OCENA ZACHOWAŃ ZDROWOTNYCH KOBIET SYSTEMATYCZNIE UCZĘSZCZAJĄCYCH DO KLUBU FITNESS NA TLE GRUPY PORÓWNAWCZEJ Karolina Nowak, Magdalena Głowacka 271 4.6. AKTYWNOŚĆ FIZYCZNA I INNE ZACHOWANIA ZDROWOTNE A JAKOŚĆ ŻYCIA OSÓB UCZĘSZCZAJĄCYCH NA SIŁOWNIĘ Kamila Włodarczyk, Maria Niestrój-Jaworska 291 4.7. SPEŁNIANIE WYBRANYCH REKOMENDACJI PROZDROWOTNEJ AKTYWNOŚCI FIZYCZNEJ A SAMOOCENA ZDROWIA I JAKOŚCI ŻYCIA PRZEZ KOBIETY PO MASTEKTOMII Zuzanna Pieczyk, Agnieszka Nawrocka, Wiesław Garbaciak 311 4.8. MOTYWY UPRAWIANIA PIŁKI NOŻNEJ PRZEZ AMATORÓW - ZAWODNIKÓW NISKICH KLAS ROZGRYWKOWYCH Andrzej Knapik , Jakub Subik, Patryk Kruzel, Katarzyna Nierwińska 323 4.9. CZY CYKL MENSTRUACYJNY WPŁYWA NA ZAWARTOŚĆ WODY W ORGANIZMIE I JEJ ZMIANY W ODPOWIEDZI NA PODEJMOWANĄ AKTYWNOŚĆ FIZYCZNĄ U KOBIET? Ilona Pokora 337 5. Prozdrowotne oddziaływanie aktywności fi zycznej 5.1. ROLA AKTYWNOŚCI FIZYCZNEJ W PREWENCJI PIERWOTNEJ I WTÓRNEJ CHOROBY PARKINSONA Józef Opara 355 5.2. ZNACZENIE AKTYWNOŚCI FIZYCZNEJ W CHOROBIE ALZHEIMERA I INNYCH OTĘPIENIACH Józef Opara 367 5.3. WPŁYW TRENINGU STABILIZACJI CENTRALNEJ NA DOLEGLIWOŚCI BÓLOWE ODCINKA LĘDŹWIOWEGO KRĘGOSŁUPA I JAKOŚĆ ŻYCIA U OSÓB W WIEKU 25-45 LAT Adam Pinocy, Maria Niestrój-Jaworska 385

EFFECT OF NEUROMUSCULAR TRAINING ON BASKETBALL PLAYING ABILITY

Article

Full-text available

Oct 2022

Context: Neuromuscular training program (NMTP) enhanced performance in various sports. Evidence is needed to show the effect of NMTP on Basketball (BB) playing ability. Aim & Objective: To determine the effect of 6 weeks of progressive NMTP on BB playing ability. Design: Randomized Controlled Trial. Setting: Basketball Court and Gymnasium. Patients or Other Participants: 08 (eight) district-level male BB players (EG – 04 & CG - 04) aged 19-25 years. Main Outcome Measure(s): The Johnson BB ability test items, namely shooting ability, throwing accuracy, and dribbling ability through field goal speed test, BB throw for accuracy, and BB dribble test, respectively, have been tested within two days before and after the training to find out the effectiveness of NMTP plus BB practice in EG and only BB practice in CG. Summing up the scores of all three test items calculates the overall BB ability. Results: The post-test performance of shooting ability ('F' – 29.67), dribbling ability ('F' – 25.63), and overall BB ability ('F' – 12.22) significantly improved due to progressive NMTP plus regular BB practices in EG but not for throwing accuracy ('F' - 0.49). CG did not show any significant improvement. Conclusions: Progressive NMTP significantly improved various aspects of physical, motoric, and musculoskeletal fitness which in turn developed the neuromuscular fitness of BB players. Regular BB practices developed various psychological aspects along with skills. The post-test performance of the EG than the CG established that basketball playing ability not only depends on psychological and technical development but also needs well-developed neuromuscular fitness to execute the skills flawlessly. So the neuromuscular training program should be incorporated along with regular basketball practices to improve basketball playing ability.

Physical therapy recommendations for injury prevention in alpine skiing

Article

Full-text available

Aug 2022

Introduction: Alpine skiers face high speeds, significant forces, natural and unnatural obstacles, and various environmental conditions on the slopes. Thus, they are highly exposed to certain injuries, amongst which the most common are those to the knee followed by injuries to the spine, shins, head, as well as arm and thumb injuries. Purpose: The purpose was to systematically review the scientific literature on injuries, risk factors, and prevention in competitive alpine skiing and to provide recommendations for injury prevention in the field of physical preparation, kinesiotherapy, and/or specific exercises, and to determine which exercise program would be most appropriate for an alpine ski racer. Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, and COBISS databases were used with PRISMA method to review the physical therapy recommendations for injury prevention in alpine skiing. Results: 10 studies were included in the final systematic review. We have not found any evidence-based prevention programs that are not older than 10 years on the topic of physical preparation for alpine ski racers. We found that most often, the literature describes prevention in terms of equipment, course preparation, course safety awareness, and the experience of the skier. Conclusions: The recommendation for the most efficient prevention according to the current literature is to follow the above preventive measures in combination with appropriate physical preparation, where we recommend relying on research evidence in other (non-contact) sports that have similar injury mechanisms as alpine ski racing.

Core Muscles Activation in Plank with and without Support on Upper Limbs during Different Body Angles 1

Article

Full-text available

Sep 2023

The role of the upper limbs in the common plank exercises is considered a limiting factor in targeting the core muscles. The purpose of this study was to investigate the core muscles activation in plank with and without support on upper limbs during different body angles. Twenty-one healthy men aged 20-30 participated in this study. The subjects performed the plank in two positions with support on the upper limb (by the TRX suspension device) and without support on the upper limb (by the researcher-made device) at 20, 40, 60 and 80 of body angles. Every eight tests were repeated twice for 5 seconds. The activity of rectus abdominis, external oblique, multifidus, erector spinae lumbar, and rectus femoris muscles were measured and compared. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to examine the effects of upper limb on our outcomes. The results showed that there is no difference on core muscles activity between plank with and without support on upper limbs during different body angles (p=0.821). Changing the body angle (20, 40, 60 and 80 degrees) showed a main different on the core muscles activity in the both plank positions with and without support on upper limbs (P≤0.05). Not using the upper limbs in the plank exercises does not change the activity of the core muscles, and also the level of their activity increases through the gradual addition in the body angle.

Journal of Population Therapeutics & Clinical Pharmacology EFFECTS OF 360° TITANIUM CORE STRENGTH EXERCISE© ON PHYSICAL PERFORMANCES AND LOW BACK PAIN IN AMATEUR TABLE TENNIS PLAYERS

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2023

1-14 YAŞ ARASI ÇOCUKLARDA KOŞU TEMELLİ YÜKSEK ŞİDDETLİ İNTERVAL ANTRENMAN VE KOŞU TEMELLİ YÜKSEK ŞİDDETLİ İNTERVAL ANTRENMAN İLE KOMBİNE EDİLEN CORE ANTRENMANIN FİZİKSEL PERFORMANS ÜZERİNE ETKİLERİNİN KARŞILAŞTIRILMASI Suna KETHÜDA 2023 YÜKSEK LİSANS TEZİ BEDEN EĞİTİMİ VE SPOR

Thesis

Full-text available

Sep 2023

The Effect of Volitional Preemptive Abdominal Contraction on Biomechanical Measures During A Front Versus Back Loaded Barbell Squat

Article

Full-text available

Aug 2023
Int J Sports Phys Ther

Background Weightlifting is growing in popularity among recreational and competitive athletes. The barbell back squat (BackS) is commonly included in these training programs, while the barbell front squat (FrontS) is commonly performed as a component of other lifts such as the power clean or clean and jerk, it is less commonly practiced in isolation. Hypothesis/Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of VPAC performance on trunk muscle and LE biomechanical responses during loaded BackS versus FrontS in healthy subjects. Study Design Controlled Laboratory Study Methods Healthy male subjects with the ability to perform a sub-maximal loaded barbell squat lift were recruited. Subjects completed informed consent, demographic/medical history questionnaires and an instructional video. Subjects practiced VPAC and received feedback. Surface electromyography (sEMG) electrodes and kinematic markers were applied. Muscles included were the internal oblique (IO), external oblique (EO), rectus abdominis, iliocostalis lumborum (ICL), superficial multifidi, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, and gluteus maximus. Maximal voluntary isometric contractions established reference sEMG values. A squat one-rep-max (1RM) was predicted by researchers using a three to five repetition maximum (3RM, 5RM) load protocol. Subjects performed BackS trials at 75% 1RM while FrontS trials were performed at 75% BackS weight, both with and without VPAC. Subjects performed three repetitions of each condition with feet positioned on two adjacent force plates. Significant interactions and main effects were tested using a 2(VPAC strategy) x 2(squat variation) and 2(VPAC strategy) x 2(direction) within-subject repeated measures ANOVAs. Tukey’s Post-Hoc tests identified the location of significant differences. Results Trunk muscle activity was significantly higher during FrontS versus BackS regardless of VPAC condition. (IO: p=0.018, EO: p<0.001, ICL: p<0.001) VPAC increased performance time for both squat variations (p=.0011), which may be associated with decreased detrimental force potential on the lumbar spine and knees. VPAC led to improved ability to maintain a neutral lumbar spine during both squat variations. This finding is associated with decreased detrimental force potential on the lumbar spine. Conclusions Findings could help guide practitioners and coaches to choose squat variations and incorporate VPAC strategies during their treatments and/or training programs. Level of Evidence Level 3 ©The Author(s)

Is the function of the core muscles affected during pregnancy?

Article

Jul 2023
INT UROGYNECOL J

Introduction and hypothesis: The aim of our study is to examine the changes in core muscle functions during pregnancy. Methods: Our study was carried out in 67 primigravida pregnant women. Superficial electromyography (EMG) and non-invasive 2D/3D ultrasonography (USG) were used to evaluate core muscle (diaphragm, transversus abdominus [TA], internal oblique [IO]-external oblique [EO] muscles, pelvic floor muscles, multifidus) function during pregnancy. Pelvic floor muscle strength was also measured by a digital palpation method (PERFECT system). USG was used to measure expected fetal weight and the diastasis recti (DR) distance. Mann-Whitney U test was used to show changes in trimesters in the core muscles, and Spearman correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship. Results: In the third trimester, an nonsignificant increase in EMG parameters was observed in all of the core muscles. Although a statistically significant decrease was observed in muscle thickness values measured by EO and IO USG in the third trimester, DR was found to increase at all levels (p < 0.005). When we evaluated both trimesters and all pregnant women together, no relationship was found between all core muscles and pelvic floor muscles in the data evaluated by EMG and USG. We found a negative correlation in USG values between fetal weight and IO and the upper part of the rectus abdominus muscle, and a positive correlation between the EMG data of the EO and rectus abdominus muscles. Conclusions: In women, the coactivation relationship between the core muscles may disappear during pregnancy. As the trimesters progress during pregnancy, a decrease in thickness and an increase in muscle activity can be observed in the core muscles. Pregnant women can be given exercise training for core muscles for protection in both the prenatal and postnatal periods. But more research needs to be done.

Lineamientos de biomecánica deportiva aplicada al alto rendimiento

Chapter

Full-text available

Jan 2022

The Technique Triad Theory

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2023

A common theme that has been recently perpetuated through the medical community is the oversimplification of injury science to the equation of load versus capacity and the disregard for the influence of movement quality. The Adaptation Model is based on the belief that one can recover and/or adapt to any stimulus or stress that is gradually applied as long as it does not breach the system's capacity; and that, as humans, we can infinitely become better suited to our environment regardless of what this environment may entail. Many who support this hypothesis reject the importance of biomechanics, technique, and movement proficiency in regard to injury prevention and rather promote this idea of adaptation in isolation. Building capacity through many repetitions gradually involves neurophysiological adaptations that improve skill acquisition, neuromuscular efficiency, and technique. Therefore the "adaptation model" inherently involves an element of "technique" in itself. "Load" and "Capacity" play a key role in one's ability to adapt, grow and perform at their best. However, this duality is incomplete without the 3rd pillar-technique. In order to maintain ideal movement proficiency and drive physiological adaptations, we must increase the load within the context of what our skill and technique will allow. Although technique quality is described often on a sliding spectrum-like scale, as requiring sufficient competency within certain fundamentals as a prerequisite to increasing load allows you to improve skill without increasing the risk of breaching your tissue tolerances. Increase load too quickly, and you risk sporadic and uncontrolled migration of forces onto parts of your body or tissue systems that do not yet have the required capacity to handle such stress. With the proper movement patterns ingrained and the appropriate dosage or load progressively challenging the capacity, the programming now reflects the intensity of such stimuli based on the athlete's ability to recover from the fatigue debt created in training. As the programming progresses and the load is increased, capacity requires technique and the ability to move proficiently through the sport-specific movement. 1) Technique permits load because load requires technique, 2) Load challenges capacity because capacity dictates load and 3) Capacity requires technique because technique protects and maximizes capacity.

Comparison of Effects of Static Core Training and Additional Dynamic Core Training in Young Adults: An Experimental Study

Article

Mar 2023

FACTORS THAT AFFECTING IN THE FORMATION OF TRAITS OF THE CHILD'S CHARACTER

Conference Paper

Full-text available

Jun 2023

The human being is educated throughout life. Therefore, the education of character is a very long and complex process that is performed in the family, in school, and in the social environment where the individual's relationship with society is intertwined. The formation of a child's character is a long road full of challenges. During this path, children encounter a series of factors and situations, and facing these events enables the formation of certain character traits. These properties, including in general and constitute the personality. The formation of character is closely related to the human socialization process in general. The human being is educated throughout life. The individual life path of everyone and the way he approaches problems are very important factor in the formation of character traits. Therefore, dealing with the problem of the child's character requires a very serious and comprehensive approach. The purpose of this paper is to address the factors that influence the formation of a child's character traits. The analyzed dimensions include the educational function of the family in forming a child’s character and the educational function of the school in forming a child’s character. The used methods in this paper are document analysis where these factors are included, descriptive, inductive, and deductive methods analysis concludes. that the child’s character is perfect in a worthy life, a fair and reasonable man, with the right attitude towards themselves and others. Keywords: character, child, family, school, society.

The importance of methods and forms of formative student´s assessment in the teaching

Research

Full-text available

Feb 2023

That the assessment, and even more so the whole evaluation process, is a complex task, is best demonstrated when one has to answer the question and figure out how to do it. That is why the goal of our research was to gain knowledge about which methods and forms were used by primary school teachers in the formative assessment of student's achievements. The teacher should use different methods to check the same objectives to allow each student to show his achievements and in the way that suits him best, for example, some students prefer oral, and others have written expression. That is why the goal of our research was to gain knowledge about which methods and forms were used by primary school teachers in the formative assessment of students' achievements. For the needs of the research, a survey was used as a technique for collecting empirical data, and a questionnaire for teachers was used as an instrument. According to the needs of the research, 210 teachers were surveyed from seven elementary schools. The obtained results generally support the conclusion that well-chosen methods and forms by the students help them during the learning process. Keywords: methods and forms, formative assessment, students, teachers, teaching.

Dimensions of multicultural education, as the basis of successful inter-ethnic integration

Research

Full-text available

Jan 2023

The social organization of the human community, throughout the history of its civilization, is characterized by the existence, coexistence, and interaction of cultures, ethnicities, and different religions. Multiculturalism is oriented toward the protection of the particular, the roots of tradition, and the history of each group without exception. Therefore, addressing the problem of multiculturalism requires a very serious and comprehensive approach. The aim of this paper is to examine the elements that contribute to the presentation of multiculturalism in elementary school education and to conduct a theoretical analysis of multicultural education at school, which, according to Banks, represents the fundamentals of successful interethnic integration. The analyzed dimensions include the integration of contents, the process of acquiring knowledge, the reduction of prejudices, the improvement of school culture, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding. The methods used in this paper are document analysis, where these dimensions of multiculturalism are included, and descriptive, inductive, and deductive analysis. The conclusion of the analysis is that for a school to have a good multiethnic climate, it should build an open and sincere system of communication, mutual tolerance, and cohabitation, as well as build mutual trust and unity between different ethnicities in the school. Keywords: multiculturalism, education, school, interethnic relations, coexistence.

Contemporary tendencies in assessing student´s achievements

Research

Full-text available

Feb 2023

Contemporary world trends in education, in response to major socio-economic changes and rapid technical and technological development, imposed the need for appropriate changes in the organizational setup of the classroom, as the basic environment of organizes learning. The purpose of these changes is to establish a process of continuous improvement of work in schools, what in turn will lead to quality assurance in education. From clasroom, as the basic micro-balance of organized learning, it is required to adapt and respond to the modern level of development, to offer a warm atmosphere and to prepare students who will be able to answer all the changes that the new time brings with them. All the above reasons do not encourage us to orientate ourselves to research in the field of student assessment and assessment as one of the most important and most sensitive segments of the educational process. We say sensitive, because each student is a special person, and his engaging should be done according to his bio - psychological abilities. If teachers are more engaged in this and implement innovations in the process of grading the assessment process, that if the teachers are more engaged in implementing in the realization of the assessment process, this will result in a pedagogical framework that will give a contemporary character to the process of checking and evaluation. Keywords: teachers, students, achievements, evaluation, teaching.

Factors that affecting in the formation of traits of the child´s character

Research

Full-text available

Feb 2023

OPUS © Uluslararası Toplum Araştırmaları Dergisi-International Journal of Society Researches Serbest Stil Güreşçilerde 8 Haftalık Core Egzersizlerinin Maksimal Kuvvet, Dikey Sıçrama Ve Esneklik Üzerine Olan Etkisinin İncelenmesi

Article

Full-text available

Feb 2023

z Bu çalışmada amaç; Sivas merkez Ahmet Ayık Tematik Spor Lisesinde öğrenim gören 15-17 yaş arası serbest stil müsabık sporculara uygulanan 8 haftalık kor egzersizlerinin maksimal kuvvet, (bacak, sırt ve kavrama kuvveti) dikey sıçrama ve esneklik üzerine olan etkilerini incelemektir. Çalışmaya yaşı 15,80±0,616 ve spor yaşı 4,05±1,538 olan 10 antrenman ve 10 kontrol grubu olmak üzere toplam 20 serbest stil müsabık güreşçi katılmıştır. Çalışmaya katılanlardan sporcuların boy uzunluğu, vücut ağırlığı, kor gücü ve stabilitesi, dikey sıçrama, uzan eriş ve sırt, bacak ve kavrama kuvveti ön test ve son test olmak üzere ölçümleri alınmıştır. Antrenman ve kontrol gruplarının egzersiz öncesi ve sonrası değişimin belirlenmesinde Wilcoxon testi ve betimsel analiz testi uygulanmıştır. Antrenman grubunun antrenman öncesi ve sonrası sırt kuvveti, boy ve VKİ değişkeninde anlamlı farklılık bulunmuştur (p<0,05). Kor kuvvet antrenman öncesi ve antrenman son-rası kilo, uzan eriş, bacak, sağ ve sol kavrama ve kor kuvveti anlamlı farklılık bulunmamıştır (p>0,05). Sonuç olarak 8 haftalık kor kuvvet antrenmanlarının serbest stil erkek güreşçilerin sırt kuvveti üzerine olumlu etkileri olduğu söylenebilir.

CONTEMPORARY TENDENCIES IN ASSESSING STUDENTS’ ACHIEVEMENTS

Conference Paper

Full-text available

Feb 2023

FACTORS THAT AFFECTING IN THE FORMATION OF TRAITS OF THE CHILD'S CHARACTER

Conference Paper

Full-text available

Feb 2023

THE IMPORTANCE OF METHODS AND FORMS OF THE FORMATIVE STUDENTS' ASSESSMENT IN THE TEACHING PROCESS

Conference Paper

Full-text available

Feb 2023

That the assessment, and even more so the whole evaluation process, is a complex task, is best demonstrated when one must answer the question and figure out how to do it. That is why the goal of our research was to gain knowledge about which methods and forms were used by primary school teachers in the formative assessment of student's achievements. The teacher should use different methods to check the same objectives to allow each student to show his achievements and in the way that suits him best, for example, some students prefer oral, and others have written expression. That is why the goal of our research was to gain knowledge about which methods and forms were used by primary school teachers in the formative assessment of students' achievements. For the needs of the research, a survey was used as a technique for collecting empirical data, and a questionnaire for teachers was used as an instrument. According to the needs of the research, 210 teachers were surveyed from seven elementary schools. The obtained results generally support the conclusion that well-chosen methods and forms by the students help them during the learning process. Keywords: methods and forms, formative assessment, students, teachers, teaching.

Biological Mechanisms Underlying Physical Fitness and Sports Performance

Book

Full-text available

Dec 2022

In general, the concept of a mechanism in biology has three distinct meanings. It may refer to a philosophical thesis about the nature of life and biology, to the internal workings of a machine-like structure, or to the causal explanation of a particular phenomenon [1]. Understanding the biological mechanisms that justify acute and chronic physiological responses to exercise interventions determines the development of training principles and training methods. A strong understanding of the effects of exercise in humans may help researchers to identify what causes specific biological changes and to properly identify the most adequate processes for implementing a training stimulus [1]. Despite the significant body of knowledge regarding the physiological and physical effects of different training methods (based on load dimensions), some biological causes of those changes are still unknown. Additionally, few studies have focused on natural biological variability in humans and how specific human properties may underlie different responses to the same training intervention. Thus, more original research is needed to provide plausible biological mechanisms that may explain the physiological and physical effects of exercise and training in humans. In this Special Issue, we discuss/demonstrate the biological mechanisms that underlie the beneficial effects of physical fitness and sports performance, as well as their importance and their role in/influences on physical health. A total of 28 manuscripts are published here, of which 25 are original articles, two are reviews, and one is a systematic review. Two papers are on neuromuscular training programs (NMTs), training monotony (TM), and training strain (TS) in soccer players [2,3]; five articles provide innovative findings about testosterone and cortisol [4,5], gastrointestinal hormones [6], spirulina [7], and concentrations of erythroferrone (ERFE) [8]; another five papers analyze fitness and its association with other variables [7,9–12]; three papers examine body composition in elite female soccer players [2], adolescents [6], and obese women [7]; five articles examines the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) [7,10,13–15]; one paper examines the acute effects of different levels of hypoxia on maximal strength, muscular endurance, and cognitive function [16]; another article evaluates the efficiency of using vibrating exercise equipment (VEE) compared with using sham-VEE in women with CLBP (chronic lowback pain) [17]; one article compares the effects of different exercise modes on autonomic modulation in patients with T2D (type 2 diabetes mellitus) [14]; and another paper analyzes the changes in ABB (acid–base balance) in the capillaries of kickboxers [18]. Other studies evaluate: the effects of resistance training on oxidative stress and muscle damage in spinal cord-injured rats [19]; the effects of muscle training on core muscle performance in rhythmic gymnasts [20]; the physiological profiles of road cyclist in different age categories [21]; changes in body composition during the COVID-19 [22]; a mathematical model capable of predicting 2000 m rowing performance using a maximum-effort 100 m indoor rowing ergometer [23]; the effects of ibuprofen on performance and oxidative stress [24]; the associations of vitamin D levels with various motor performance tests [12]; the level of knowledge on FM (Fibromyalgia) [25]; and the ability of a specific BIVA (bioelectrical impedance vector analysis) to identify changes in fat mass after a 16-week lifestyle program in former athletes [26]. Finally, one review evaluates evidence from published systematic reviews and meta-analyses about the efficacy of exercise on depressive symptoms in cancer patients [27]; another review presents the current state of knowledge on satellite cell dependent skeletal muscle regeneration [28]; and a systematic review evaluates the effects of exercise on depressive symptoms among women during the postpartum period [29]

Relationship of Training Factors and Resilience with Injuries in Ski Mountaineers

Article

Full-text available

Nov 2022

Ski mountaineering is an increasingly popular sport with a relatively high risk of injury. Therefore, several studies have analyzed factors related to the likelihood of injury, including athlete characteristics, training, resilience and equipment. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify factors that may influence injury risk. A 15-minute online survey was sent to various ski mountaineering groups of different ages and levels. Both the Mann–Whitney U test and odds ratio analysis were performed in order to analyze the data. Results from 104 skiers showed that most injuries occurred in the lower extremities, especially in the knee (29.6%). The findings indicated that skiers who had suffered an injury performed in more competitions per year (p = 0.046), more ski mountaineering sessions per week (p = 0.022) and fewer core training sessions per week (0.029), although core training and competition were not statistically significant factors. Likewise, non-injured athletes had fewer pairs of skis (p = 0.019), which were also wider (p = 0.04). However, no difference was found for warm up and resilience between both groups (p = 0.275). In conclusion, it is important to implement preventive measures based on these factors, even if more research is needed.

Fractures of tibial shaft and tibial head in winter sports

Article

Oct 2022

Background: Injuries in alpine skiing often affect the lower extremities, in particular the knee joint and lower leg. In addition to conventional radiological diagnostics, CT and, in the case of fractures of the knee joint area, MRI also play an important role. In the case of tibial head fractures, especially if there has been a dislocation mechanism, there is an increased risk of vascular and nerve injuries. Lower leg fractures are predestined for the development of a compartment syndrome. For these reasons, an exact survey of the vascular-nerve status and a monitoring of the soft tissues should be carried out. Therapy: In the further therapy, whether conservative or surgical, the soft tissue situation must also be included in the planning. In the case of tibial head fractures in particular, the choice of the right approach is essential for a good result in surgical therapy. Angle-stable plate osteosynthesis and screw osteosynthesis play the most important role as osteosynthesis methods in the knee joint area. In the case of fractures in the shaft area, medullary nail osteosynthesis or angle-stable plate systems are primarily used. In the case of severely compromised soft tissue or unstable situations, it may be necessary to apply an external fixator first. The initiated therapy should enable functional follow-up treatment as early as possible. Prevention: Good physical fitness, driving-specific training, but also good core stabilization have a preventative effect against injuries. In addition, the correct material coordination between ski boot, binding and ski is important for accident prevention.

Effectiveness of Core Exercise Training Programs Designed to Enhance Ball-Throwing Velocity in Overhead Athletes: A Systematic Review

Article

Aug 2022

In overhead throwing, core muscles play a role in transferring momentum from the trunk to the arm. Yet, studies evaluating various core exercise programs on core muscle function and ball-throwing velocity yield varying results. The objective of this systematic review was to synthesize the effects of these programs on ball-throwing velocity and trunk muscle function based on the focus of the training program. Searches were conducted using MEDLINE on November 24, 2020, and updated on April 27, 2022. Articles were included if the training was administered to overhead-throwing athletes, targeted the core musculature, and had at least 1 comparison group. Of a total of 875 articles retrieved, 11 were selected for analysis. The synthesis of evidence suggests that (a) commonly used spinal stabilization exercises may improve trunk muscle endurance and isometric strength, but not ball-throwing velocity; (b) advanced spinal stabilization exercises performed on a sling suspension system can improve ball-throwing velocity; and (c) trunk plyometrics using medicine balls can improve trunk rotational strength, power, and ball-throwing velocity. More challenging core exercises that incorporate unstable surfaces, higher resistance, and dynamic trunk movement seem necessary to promote improvement in ball-throwing velocity.

Effect of local, comprehensive and combined exercises on the weakness of abdominal muscles of schoolgirls

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2020

Citation: Minaei S, Aghayari A, Jadidian A.A. The effect of local, comprehensive and combined exercises on the weakness of abdominal muscles of school girls. Abstract Background and Objective: Various local and comprehensive exercises are recommended to strengthen abdominal muscles that play an important role in core stability. Few studies have compared the effectiveness of these exercises in populations yet. Thus, the aim of this study was investigating the effect of local, comprehensive and combined exercises on the weakness of abdominal muscles of schoolgirls. Materials and Methods: For this purpose, 60 non-athlete 15-17 years old schoolgirls selected by purposive sampling then randomly divided into four groups including: local, comprehensive, combined and control. Experimental groups performed training programs for 12 weeks. Sit-up and Double Straight Leg Lowering (DSLL) tests were used to evaluate abdominal muscles endurance and strength, respectively. Results: Results showed that the abdominal muscles weakness significantly improved after exercise programs, so that the pre and post-test mean difference of abdominal muscles' endurance and strength in local, comprehensive and combined exercises were significant (P<0.05). MANCOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc test showed that comprehensive and combined exercises improved endurance and strength of the abdominal muscles better than that of local exercises (P<0.05). Conclusion: The comprehensive and combined exercise protocols showed better results in endurance and strength tests in terms of abdominal muscles strengthening. The results of this study support better effectiveness of comprehensive and combined exercises in optimizing performance. It seems that the better effectiveness of the combined exercises is due to the comprehensive exercises involved in. Therefore, it is recommended to therapists and coaches to perform comprehensive exercises more than the others for improving abdominal muscles' endurance and strength.

Swiss Ball-Based Core Stability Exercise for Students-Athletes of Pencak Silat in Pontianak: Experimental Study

Article

Full-text available

Aug 2022

Effects of Trunk Stabilization Exercise Using the Abdominal Expansion Maneuver on Postural Stability and Functional Movement in College Athletes

Article

Full-text available

Jun 2022

PURPOSE This study aimed to investigate the effects of trunk stabilization exercise (TSE) with abdominal expansion maneuver (AEM) that lasted for 8 weeks on postural stability and functional movement in college athletes.METHODS Twenty college athletes participated in the program (AEM=9, Control=11) and were subjected to 8-week TSE. The AEM group performed exercise by applying AEM techniques during TSE, and control group performed TSE without breathing-related instructions. Both groups measured postural stability with lower-quarter Y-balance test (LQYBT) and functional movement with functional movement screen (FMS) before and after applying TSE to verify the interaction before and after this study with the two groups. Two-way repeated analysis of variance was performed to evaluate the differences between groups and time for an absolute value of LQYBT and FMS, followed by Bonferroni’s multiple comparison tests for post-hoc analysis.RESULTS As a result of the left and right LQYBT, there was a significant difference between the time x group ( p =.041, p =.033), and post-hoc analysis indicated that there was a significant difference between the AEM and control groups ( p =.000, p =,000). Furthermore, the FMS total score indicated that there was a significant difference between the time × group ( p =.039), and the post-hoc analysis showed the AEM group had significant results ( p =.001), while there were no significant results in the control group ( p =.255).CONCLUSIONS Application of AEM during TSE seems to be effective with regard to postural stability and functional movement in college athletes.

Torso and Hip Muscle Activity and Resulting Spine Load and Stability While Using the ProFitter 3-D Cross Trainer

Article

Full-text available

Feb 2009

The ProFitter 3-D Cross Trainer is a labile surface device used in the clinic and claimed to train spine stability. The purpose of this study was to quantify the spine mechanics (compression and shear forces and stability), together with muscle activation mechanics (surface electromyography) of the torso and hip, during three ProFitter exercises. Trunk muscle activity was relatively low while exercising on the device (<25%MVC). Gluteus medius activity was phasic with the horizontal sliding position, especially for an experienced participant. Sufficient spinal stability was achieved in all three exercise conditions. Peak spinal compression values were below 3400 N (maximum 3188 N) and peak shear values were correspondingly low (under 500 N). The exercises challenge whole-body dynamic balance while producing very conservative spine loads. The motion simultaneously integrates hip and torso muscles in a way that appears to ensure stabilizing motor patterns in the spine. This information will assist with clinical decision making about the utility of the device and exercise technique in rehabilitation and training programs.

The Reduction of Chronic, Nonspecific Low Back Pain Through the Control of Early Morning Lumbar Flexion: 3-Year Follow-Up

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2002

Three years ago, an 18-month randomized controlled trial of chronic, nonspecific low back pain investigated the effectiveness of instructing subjects to restrict bending activities in the early morning, when the fluid content in the disc is increased. Pain days (as recorded by daily diaries) were reduced 23% in the treatment group, compared to a 2% reduction in the control (sham treatment) group. The purpose of the current follow-up study was to determine whether the results of that trial were maintained during the 3 years following completion of the trial. A questionnaire was mailed to the 60 subjects who completed the original trial. Fifty subjects completed the questionnaire for a response rate of 83%. Thirty-one subjects (62%) continued to restrict bending activities in the early morning, and experienced a further reduction of 10.1 pain days per month (51%) since the completion of the experiment. However, some of the subjects who did not continue to comply also improved. Several possible explanations for the improvement of noncompliant subjects are offered.

Previous history of LBP with work loss is related to lingering deficits in biomechanical, physiological, personal, psychosocial and motor control characteristics

Article

Full-text available

Jul 2003

A cross-sectional retrospective study was made of currently asymptomatic workers who perform physically demanding jobs. To further quantify the association between various biomechanical, physiological, personal psychosocial and motor control parameters that linger due to a history of low back disorders. Seventy-two workers were recruited from heavy industry, 26 of whom had a history of disabling low back disorders (LBDs) sufficient to miss work while the others did not. The strength of the study lies in the many detailed variables measured. Having a history of low back disorders was found to be associated with a larger waist girth, a greater potential for low back pain chronicity as predicted from psychosocial questionnaires, perturbed flexion to extension strength and endurance ratios, and widespread motor control deficits across a variety of tasks, some of which resulted in high back loads. In those workers who had missed work due to back disorders, the length of time since their last disabling episode was 261 weeks on average, suggesting that multiple deficits may remain for a period of time. Having a history of LBD is associated with changes in attitudes, in body composition, and in the way people move, load their backs and respond to a variety of motor and stability challenges.

Trunk Muscle Stabilization Training Plus General Exercise Versus General Exercise Only: Randomized Controlled Trial of Patients With Recurrent Low Back Pain

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2005

The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to examine the usefulness of the addition of specific stabilization exercises to a general back and abdominal muscle exercise approach for patients with subacute or chronic nonspecific back pain by comparing a specific muscle stabilization-enhanced general exercise approach with a general exercise-only approach. Fifty-five patients with recurrent, nonspecific back pain (stabilization-enhanced exercise group: n=29, general exercise-only group: n=26) and no clinical signs suggesting spinal instability were recruited. Both groups received an 8-week exercise intervention and written advice (The Back Book). Outcome was based on self-reported pain (Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire), disability (Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire), and cognitive status (Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, Pain Locus of Control Scale) measured immediately before and after intervention and 3 months after the end of the intervention period. Outcome measures for both groups improved. Furthermore, self-reported disability improved more in the general exercise-only group immediately after intervention but not at the 3-month follow-up. There were generally no differences between the 2 exercise approaches for any of the other outcomes. A general exercise program reduced disability in the short term to a greater extent than a stabilization-enhanced exercise approach in patients with recurrent nonspecific low back pain. Stabilization exercises do not appear to provide additional benefit to patients with subacute or chronic low back pain who have no clinical signs suggesting the presence of spinal instability.

The Role of Core Stability in Athletic Function

Article

Full-text available

Feb 2006

The importance of function of the central core of the body for stabilisation and force generation in all sports activities is being increasingly recognised. ‘Core stability’ is seen as being pivotal for efficient biomechanical function to maximise force generation and minimise joint loads in all types of activities ranging from running to throwing. However, there is less clarity about what exactly constitutes ‘the core’, either anatomically or physiologically, and physical evaluation of core function is also variable. ‘Core stability’ is defined as the ability to control the position and motion of the trunk over the pelvis to allow optimum production, transfer and control of force and motion to the terminal segment in integrated athletic activities. Core muscle activity is best understood as the pre-programmed integration of local, single-joint muscles and multi-joint muscles to provide stability and produce motion. This results in proximal stability for distal mobility, a proximal to distal patterning of generation of force, and the creation of interactive moments that move and protect distal joints. Evaluation of the core should be dynamic, and include evaluation of the specific functions (trunk control over the planted leg) and directions of motions (three-planar activity). Rehabilitation should include the restoring of the core itself, but also include the core as the base for extremity function.

Trunk Muscle Activation Patterns, Lumbar Compressive Forces, and Spine Stability When Using the Bodyblade

Article

Full-text available

Mar 2007

The objective of this study was to analyze the trunk muscle activation patterns, spine kinematics, and lumbar compressive forces that occur when using the Bodyblade, a popular tool in physical medicine clinics. The participants were 14 male subjects who were healthy and who were recruited from a university population. With data collected from surface electromyography of selected trunk and shoulder muscles, video analysis, and a 3-dimensional lumbar spine position sensor, modeling methods were used to quantify L4-5 compressive forces and spine stability. Large-amplitude oscillation of a vertically oriented Bodyblade resulted in the greatest activation levels of the internal oblique and external oblique muscles (average amplitude=48% and 26% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction, respectively), which were associated with L4-5 compressive forces as high as 4,328 N. Instantaneous stability increased with well-coordinated effort, muscle activation, and compression, but decreased when subjects had poor technique. The way the Bodyblade is used may either enhance or compromise spine stability. Associated lumbar compressive forces may be inappropriate for some people with compression-intolerant lumbar spine pathology.

Quantitative intramuscular myoelectric activity of lumbar portions of psoas and the abdominal wall during cycling

Article

Feb 1998

Since most previous reports of EMG activation profiles from psoas and the abdominal wall have been qualitative, the objective of this work was to document myoelectric activity from these deep muscles. This knowledge is required to assist in choosing specific training exercises and for making rehabilitation decisions that require knowledge of normalized and calibrated muscle activation levels in different tasks. Intramuscular EMG was collected from five men and three women, in whom amplitudes were normalized to maximum contraction efforts and reported over a wide variety of clinical and rehabilitation tasks. Electrodes were inserted into vertebral portions of psoas and the three layers of the abdominal wall. Normalized signal amplitudes were reported as peak levels and time histories. All forms of sit-ups activated psoas (15-35% MVC) more than the curl-up (<10%); psoas was not highly activated during barbell lifting of loads up to 100 kg (< 16% MVC); psoas was most active during maximal hip flexion efforts; push-ups activated psoas up to 25% MVC. Several isometric abdominal exercises were evaluated using the criteria of maximizing abdominal activation while minimizing psoas activity: the side (bridge) support exercise proved the best training method for the abdominal wall. Consideration of deep muscle activity, provided in this report, is important for choosing the most appropriate rehabilitation and training program for an individual. Specific guidance is provided for choosing the best abdominal exercise, together with activation profiles during lifting, during twisting, and during hip rotation.

Ultimate Back Fitness and Performance

Article

Apr 2008

Kris Head

The role of axial torque in disc herniation

Article

Oct 2009

Epidemiological studies have found associations between lifting, lifting and twisting and twisting alone with increased incidence of disc herniation. This study investigated the role of repeated dynamic axial torque/twist combined with repeated flexion on the disc herniation mechanism. Porcine cervical spines were tested in one of the following four testing protocols: flexion-extension only; axial torque/twist only; flexion-extension followed by axial torque/twist; or axial torque/twist followed by flexion-extension. Plane film radiographs and computed tomography with contrast in the nucleus were obtained at regular intervals during and following the mechanical testing process together with final dissection to determine the disc injury patterns. Axial torque/twist in combination with repetitive flexion extension motion, regardless of order, encouraged radial delamination within the annulus (67.5% of specimens). Alternatively, repetitive flexion motion alone encouraged posterior or posterolateral nucleus tracking through the annulus. Axial torque/twist alone was unable to initiate a disc herniation. Both X-ray images with contrast and computed tomography were not good at detecting radial delamination observed during dissection. The clinical relevance is that twisting may cause more radial delamination while repeated flexion causes more posterior tracking of the nucleus giving guidance for both prevention and rehabilitation decisions. In addition, X-ray images with contrast are not effective at detecting the radial delamination which was exacerbated by combined loading in flexion extension and axial torque/twist.

Comparison of Different Rowing Exercises: Trunk Muscle Activation and Lumbar Spine Motion, Load, and Stiffness

Article

Sep 2009
J STRENGTH COND RES

The objective of this study was to investigate 3 different rowing exercises and quantify the muscle activation of the torso and the hip musculature, together with the corresponding spinal loading and stiffness. Seven healthy male subjects from a university population were instrumented to obtain surface electromyography of selected trunk and hip muscles and to obtain spine position using an electromagnetic spine position sensor, together with video analysis to calculate joint moments. The 3 rowing exercises investigated are the inverted row, standing bent-over row, and the standing 1-armed cable row. The inverted row elicited the highest activation of the latissimus dorsi muscles, upper back, and hip extensor muscles. The lower activation of the lumbar erector spinae muscles during the inverted row corresponded to the lower-spine load measured. The standing bent-over row produced large activation symmetrically across the back but produced the largest lumbar spine load. The 1-armed cable row challenged the torsional capabilities of the trunk musculature. Some "core" exercises may be better for rehabilitation (e.g., having the training goals of modest muscle activation with low spine load), while other exercises may be better for athletic training (e.g., resulting in higher muscle activation and larger spine load). When prescribing "core" exercises, those wishing to spare the low back may choose the inverted row given the lowest spine load exercise. The standing bent-over row elicited large muscle activation symmetrically from the upper to lower back, however induced larger spine loads, but not surprisingly the highest spine stiffness. If torsional endurance or strength is the training goal, the 1-armed cable row might be considered.

Comparison of Different Strongman Events: Trunk Muscle Activation and Lumbar Spine Motion, Load, and Stiffness

Article

Jul 2009
J STRENGTH COND RES

Strongman events are attracting more interest as training exercises because of their unique demands. Further, strongman competitors sustain specific injuries, particularly to the back. Muscle electromyographic data from various torso and hip muscles, together with kinematic measures, were input to an anatomically detailed model of the torso to estimate back load, low-back stiffness, and hip torque. Events included the farmer's walk, super yoke, Atlas stone lift, suitcase carry, keg walk, tire flip, and log lift. The results document the unique demands of these whole-body events and, in particular, the demands on the back and torso. For example, the very large moments required at the hip for abduction when performing a yoke walk exceed the strength capability of the hip. Here, muscles such as quadratus lumborum made up for the strength deficit by generating frontal plane torque to support the torso/pelvis. In this way, the stiffened torso acts as a source of strength to allow joints with insufficient strength to be buttressed, resulting in successful performance. Timing of muscle activation patterns in events such as the Atlas stone lift demonstrated the need to integrate the hip extensors before the back extensors. Even so, because of the awkward shape of the stone, the protective neutral spine posture was impossible to achieve, resulting in substantial loading on the back that is placed in a weakened posture. Unexpectedly, the super yoke carry resulted in the highest loads on the spine. This was attributed to the weight of the yoke coupled with the massive torso muscle cocontraction, which produced torso stiffness to ensure spine stability together with buttressing the abduction strength insufficiency of the hips. Strongman events clearly challenge the strength of the body linkage, together with the stabilizing system, in a different way than traditional approaches. The carrying events challenged different abilities than the lifting events, suggesting that loaded carrying would enhance traditional lifting-based strength programs. This analysis also documented the technique components of successful, joint-sparing, strongman event strategies.

Differences in Feedforward Trunk Muscle Activity in Subgroups of Patients With Mechanical Low Back Pain

Article

Jun 2009

To investigate alterations in trunk muscle timing patterns in subgroups of patients with mechanical low back pain (MLBP). Our hypothesis was that subjects with MLBP would demonstrate delayed muscle onset and have fewer muscles functioning in a feedforward manner than the control group. We further hypothesized that we would find differences between subgroups of our patients with MLBP, grouped according to diagnosis (segmental instability and noninstability). Case-control. Laboratory. Forty-three patients with chronic MLBP (25 instability, 18 noninstability) and 39 asymptomatic controls. Not applicable. Surface electromyography was used to measure onset time of 10 trunk muscles during a self-perturbation task. Trunk muscle onset latency relative to the anterior deltoid was calculated and the number of muscles functioning in feedforward determined. Activation timing patterns (P<.01; eta=.50; 1-beta=.99) and number of muscles functioning in feedforward (P=.02; eta=.30; 1-beta=.83) were statistically different between patients with MLBP and controls. The control group activated the external oblique, lumbar multifidus, and erector spinae muscles in a feedforward manner. The heterogeneous MLBP group did not activate the trunk musculature in feedforward, but responded with significantly delayed activations. MLBP subgroups demonstrated significantly different timing patterns. The noninstability MLBP subgroup activated trunk extensors in a feedforward manner, similar to the control group, but significantly earlier than the instability subgroup. Lack of feedforward activation of selected trunk musculature in patients with MLBP may result in a period of inefficient muscular stabilization. Activation timing was more impaired in the instability than the noninstability MLBP subgroup. Training specifically for recruitment timing may be an important component of the rehabilitation program.

Low Back Disorders: Evidence Based Prevention and Rehabilitation

Article

Jun 2007
J Can Chiropract Assoc

Karen Hudes

Ballistic Abdominal Exercises: Muscle Activation Patterns During Three Activities Along the Stability/Mobility Continuum

Article

May 2009
J STRENGTH COND RES

The purpose of this study was to document the muscle activity and spine motion during several tasks requiring rapid abdominal contraction. Eight healthy men from a university population were instrumented to obtain surface electromyography of selected trunk and hip muscles, together with video analysis to calculate joint moments and electromagnetic lumbar spine position sensor to track spine posture. Exercises included a punch, throw, and a ballistic torso-stiffening maneuver. This study found that no muscle turned on significantly before any other muscle during both the 1-in. punch and ballistic torso-stiffening maneuver. Conversely, there was a significant order or muscle onset during the baseball throw. Muscles reached peak activation significantly before any other muscle during the baseball throw and 1-in. punch, but there were no significant differences for the torso-stiffening maneuver. The exercises quantified in this study demonstrated how muscle contraction dynamics change to meet differing demands for stiffening, for force/moment production, and for rapid movements. Specifically, it seems that there is an order of contraction when movement is the goal but not when just spine stability is required. Thus, a different intensity of abdominal bracing is required to achieve the different objectives of sports tasks and exercises.

Exercises for the Torso Performed in a Standing Posture: Spine and Hip Motion and Motor Patterns and Spine Load

Article

Apr 2009
J STRENGTH COND RES

The purpose of this study was to document the muscle activity, spine motion, spine load, and stiffness during several movement-based or "functional" exercises and to assess the effect of technique change. Eight subjects, all healthy men from a university population, were instrumented to obtain surface electromyography of selected trunk and hip muscles, together with video analysis and electromagnetic lumbar spine position sensor to track spine posture. Exercises included a walkout in the sagittal plane that compared an upright form against a wall with those performed on the floor, overhead cable pushes, lateral cable walkouts, the good morning exercise, and the bowler's squat. Generally, muscle activation levels were quite modest even though the tasks were quite strenuous in many cases. Even though similar joint moments were required in different exercises, the pattern of activity between muscles was different. Abdominal bracing increased spine stiffness at the expense of more spine load. Thus, muscle activity seems to be constrained in "functional" exercises. There are several possible reasons for this. Single muscles cannot be activated to 100% of the maximum voluntary contraction in functional exercises because this would upset the balance of moments about the 3 orthopedic axes of the spine, or it would upset the balance of stiffening muscles around the spine required to ensure stability of the spinal column. The one exception was the floor walkout, which resulted in full activation of the rectus abdominis; however, this was a sagittal plane task without the joint moment constraints of multiplanar exercise. Therefore, maximal muscle activity is observed during single-plane tasks, but muscle activation levels were constrained during functional tasks. Thus, strength training muscles may not help in "functional multiplanar" tasks. These data can be used to assist decisions regarding the selection of exercises, specifically choices regarding the starting challenge, progression, exercise form, and possibly corrective technique for those who have spine concerns, or those simply looking for performance enhancement.

Exercises for the Torso Performed in a Standing Posture: Spine and Hip Motion and Motor Patterns and Spine Load

Article

Mar 2009
J STRENGTH COND RES

McGill, SM, Karpowicz, A, Fenwick, CMJ, and Brown, SHM. Exercises for the torso performed in a standing posture: spine and hip motion and motor patterns and spine load. J Strength Cond Res 23(2): xxx-xxx, 2009-The purpose of this study was to document the muscle activity, spine motion, spine load, and stiffness during several movement-based or "functional" exercises and to assess the effect of technique change. Eight subjects, all healthy men from a university population, were instrumented to obtain surface electromyography of selected trunk and hip muscles, together with video analysis and electromagnetic lumbar spine position sensor to track spine posture. Exercises included a walkout in the sagittal plane that compared an upright form against a wall with those performed on the floor, overhead cable pushes, lateral cable walkouts, the good morning exercise, and the bowler's squat. Generally, muscle activation levels were quite modest even though the tasks were quite strenuous in many cases. Even though similar joint moments were required in different exercises, the pattern of activity between muscles was different. Abdominal bracing increased spine stiffness at the expense of more spine load. Thus, muscle activity seems to be constrained in "functional" exercises. There are several possible reasons for this. Single muscles cannot be activated to 100% of the maximum voluntary contraction in functional exercises because this would upset the balance of moments about the 3 orthopedic axes of the spine, or it would upset the balance of stiffening muscles around the spine required to ensure stability of the spinal column. The one exception was the floor walkout, which resulted in full activation of the rectus abdominis; however, this was a sagittal plane task without the joint moment constraints of multiplanar exercise. Therefore, maximal muscle activity is observed during single-plane tasks, but muscle activation levels were constrained during functional tasks. Thus, strength training muscles may not help in "functional multiplanar" tasks. These data can be used to assist decisions regarding the selection of exercises, specifically choices regarding the starting challenge, progression, exercise form, and possibly corrective technique for those who have spine concerns, or those simply looking for performance enhancement.

Comparison of Different Rowing Exercises: Trunk Muscle Activation and Lumbar Spine Motion, Load, and Stiffness

Article

Mar 2009
J STRENGTH COND RES

The objective of this study was to investigate 3 different rowing exercises and quantify the muscle activation of the torso and the hip musculature, together with the corresponding spinal loading and stiffness. Seven healthy men from a university population were instrumented to obtain surface electromyography of selected trunk and hip muscles and to obtain spine position using an electromagnetic spine position sensor, together with video analysis to calculate joint moments. The 3 rowing exercises investigated were the inverted row, standing bent-over row, and standing 1-armed cable row. The inverted row elicited the highest activation of the latissimus dorsi muscles, upper-back, and hip extensor muscles. The lower activation of the lumbar erector spinae muscles during the inverted row corresponded to the lower spine load measured. The standing bent-over row produced large activation symmetrically across the back, but it produced the largest lumbar spine load. The 1-armed cable row challenged the torsional capabilities of the trunk musculature. Some core exercises may be better for rehabilitation (e.g., having the training goals of modest muscle activation with low spine load), whereas other exercises may be better for athletic training (e.g., resulting in higher muscle activation and larger spine load). When prescribing core exercises, those wishing to spare the low back may choose the inverted row, given the lowest spine load exercise. The standing bent-over row elicited large muscle activation symmetrically from the upper to lower back; it induced larger spine loads but also, not surprisingly, the highest spine stiffness. If torsional endurance or strength is the training goal, the 1-armed cable row might be considered.

Exercises for Spine Stabilization: Motion/Motor Patterns, Stability Progressions, and Clinical Technique

Article

Feb 2009

To quantify several forms of the curl-up, side-bridge, and birddog exercises (muscle activity and 3-dimensional [3D] spine position) including some corrective techniques to assist clinical decision-making. A basic science study of a convenience sample with a retest of expert intervention. Spine Biomechanics Laboratory/Research Clinic. Healthy men (N=8) performed the exercises, and 5 subjects repeated the exercises as an expert applied corrective techniques. Not applicable. Surface electromyography of selected trunk and hip muscles together with video analysis and 3D spine posture were collected. Comparison of muscle activation levels showed there were justifiable progressions in each exercise form. In general, bracing of the abdominal wall enhanced activation of the obliques, but different techniques caused migration of muscle activity to other muscles. Examples of specific findings include the following. Movement during these traditionally isometric exercises such as drawing squares with the hand/foot while in the birddog posture enhances activation of many muscle groups. Breathing while holding the isometric exercises had differing effects on muscle activation which was exercise dependent. Some corrective exercise techniques, such as fascial raking, substantially changed relative activation between muscles in the abdominal wall. The data presented in this study may be used to guide the clinical decision process when choosing a specific exercise form together with selecting the correct starting level, a logical progression, suitable dosage, and possible corrective technique to enhance tolerance of a patient.

Transmission of Muscularly Generated Force and Stiffness Between Layers of the Rat Abdominal Wall

Article

Feb 2009
SPINE

In situ testing of the rat abdominal wall. To test the ability of muscularly generated force and stiffness to be transmitted between the layers of the abdominal wall. The abdominal wall is comprised of 3 obliquely oriented sheet-like muscles bound together through a connective tissue network. This anatomic arrangement would seem ideal to facilitate myofascial force transmission, which if present would indicate shear connections between the muscle layers that could have important mechanical consequences. In 10 Sprague-Dawley rats, the 3 layers of the abdominal wall were isolated together and attached to a servomotor force/displacement system. The abdominal wall was stimulated via electrodes over the surface of the transverse abdominis, and measures of force and stiffness were obtained. The aponeurosis attaching the transverse abdominis to the rectus sheath was then cut and the wall was restimulated and the same measures were again obtained. Active force and stiffness were both reduced in the cut aponeurosis state. These drops were much lower (10.6% and 10.7%, respectively) than would be expected if the transverse abdominis were completely removed. Furthermore, a control group (5 rats), in which the aponeurosis was not cut, but a similar amount of time to that necessary to perform the aponeurosis surgery was allowed to elapse, showed reductions in active force and stiffness (7.9 and 8.2, respectively) nearing that seen in the cut state. This indicates that at least a portion of this drop was due to the passage of time in the compromised surgical state. It was concluded that the majority of the force and stiffness generated by the transverse abdominis was transferred through the connective tissue network adhering to the internal oblique muscle. This indicates the presence of strong shear connections between the muscular layers, which suggests a composite stiffening function of the architectural design.

The Effects of Preseason Trunk Muscle Training on Low-Back Pain Occurrence in Women Collegiate Gymnasts

Article

Jan 2009
J STRENGTH COND RES

Low-back pain (LBP) in women gymnasts is relatively common. This investigation was performed to evaluate the effects of a preseason training program for the trunk extensor, lateral flexor, and flexor muscles on LBP occurrence during the subsequent competitive season. The training group consisted of 15 collegiate women gymnasts. The control group consisted of 15 nonathlete collegiate women. Pre- and posttesting for all participants consisted of static endurance tests for the trunk extensors, lateral flexors, and flexors. After pretesting, the training group completed 10 weeks of biweekly training consisting of non-foot-supported back extensions and side bridges, in addition to their usual trunk flexor exercises. The control group did not perform any specialized trunk muscle training. Mean improvements in trunk endurance, based on multivariate analysis of variance at the 5% level of significance, were significantly greater in the training group than in the control group. Mean improvements in endurance in the training group were 47 seconds for the lateral trunk flexors, 34 seconds for the trunk extensors, and 80 seconds for the trunk flexors. During the subsequent gymnastics season, none of the gymnasts reported new episodes of LBP. One gymnast with chronic LBP reported a recurrence of LBP during the season. None of the gymnasts reported that the training program adversely affected their gymnastic performance. These data suggest that training the trunk musculature twice per week during a 10-week period with a relatively simple floor exercise protocol was an effective stimulus to improve trunk endurance measures. It is encouraging that none of the gymnasts reported new episodes of LBP during the subsequent competitive gymnastics season.

Low back loads over a variety of abdominal exercises: Searching for the safest abdominal challenge

Article

Jul 1997

Abdominal exercises are prescribed for both the prevention and treatment of low back injury. However, these exercises sometimes appear to have hazardous effects on the lumbar spine. The purpose of this study was to identify quantitatively abdominal exercises that optimize the challenge to the abdominal muscles (rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique) but impose minimal load penalty to the lumbar spine. Nine volunteers performed 12 different abdominal exercises. For a given task the maximum abdominal muscle EMG value was divided by the maximum compression value, resulting in an abdominal challenge versus spinal compression cost index. In general, the partial curl-ups generated the highest muscle challenge-to-spine cost indices. However, those exercises that generated the best challenge-to-cost indices did not necessarily record the lowest compression levels along with the highest EMG activations. No single exercise was found that optimally trained all of the abdominal muscles while at the same time incurring minimal intervertebral joint loads. It was concluded that a variety of selected abdominal exercises are required to sufficiently challenge all of the abdominal muscles and that these exercises will-differ to best meet the different training objectives of individuals.

The Relationship Between Lumbar Spine Load and Muscle Activity During Extensor Exercises

Article

Feb 1998

There have been no previous studies that quantitatively assessed the load on the spine during extensor exercises. The purpose of our study was to investigate the loading of the lumbar spine and trunk muscle activity levels while subjects performed typical trunk extensor exercises. Thirteen male volunteers (mean age = 21.0 years, SD = 1.0, range = 19-23; mean height = 176.0 cm, SD = 6.2, range = 165-188; mean mass = 77.0 kg, SD = 7.0, range = 63-89) participated. The subjects performed four different back exercises. Electromyographic (EMG) activity was recorded from 14 trunk muscles. The postures that corresponded to the maximum external moment were identified and quantified using rigid body modeling combined with an EMG-driven model to determine joint loading at the L4-5 joint. The exercises were then evaluated based on the lumbar spine loading and peak muscle activity levels. A reference task of lifting 10 kg from midthigh was included for comparison. The exercises involving active trunk extension produced the highest joint forces and muscle activity levels. Exercises involving leg extension with the spine held isometrically demonstrated asymmetrical activity of the trunk muscles, thereby reducing loads on the spine. The back extensor exercises examined provided a wide range of joint loading and muscle activity levels. Single-leg extension tasks appear to constitute a low-risk exercise for initial extensor strengthening, given the low spine load and mild extensor muscle challenge. When combined with contralateral arm extensions, the challenge and demand of the exercise were increased. The compressive loading and extensor muscle activity levels were highest for the trunk extension exercises.

Low Back Exercises: Evidence for Improving Exercise Regimens

Article

Aug 1998

Stuart M Mcgill

Despite the wide variety of exercises that are prescribed for the low back, the scientific foundation to justify their choice is not as complete as one may think, or expect. Thus, the clinician must often call upon "clinical opinion" when selecting exercise. Given that low back tissues may need stressing to enhance their health but too much loading can be detrimental, choosing the optimal exercise requires judgment based on clinical experience and scientific evidence. To assist in developing better exercise programs, this review documents some recent biomechanical evidence from my laboratory and from laboratories of other researchers that has been reported in various publications in an attempt to update clinicians on issues of low back exercise. Among the issues examined are mechanisms of injury; the relative importance of "strength" (ie, maximum force a muscle can produce during a single exertion to create joint torque), "flexibility," and "endurance"; and training to enhance stability. Finally, some specific exercises are described that have been shown to challenge muscle and enhance performance but that are performed in such a way as to minimize loading of the spine to reduce the risk of injury exacerbation. These exercises form a basic program for rehabilitation and maintenance of low back health.

The Reduction of Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain Through the Control of Early Morning Lumbar Flexion

Article

Jan 1999

Eighteen-month, randomized controlled trial with partial crossover. To test the hypothesis that the control of lumbar flexion in the early morning will significantly reduce chronic, nonspecific low back pain. Previous studies have indicated an increased risk of low back pain with bending forward in the early morning, primarily because of increased fluid content in the intervertebral discs at that time. After 6 months of recording baseline data, 85 subjects with persistent or recurring low back pain were randomly assigned to treatment and control groups. The treatment group received instruction in the control of early morning lumbar flexion. The control group received a sham treatment of six exercises shown to be ineffective in reducing low back pain. Six months later, the control group received the experimental treatment, Diaries were used to record daily levels of pain intensity, disability, impairment, and medication usage. Significant reductions in pain intensity (P < 0.01) were recorded for the treatment group, but not for the control group (point estimate, 33%; 95% confidence interval, 11-55%). After receiving the experimental treatment, the control group responded with similar reductions (P < 0.05). Significant reductions also were observed in total days in pain, disability, impairment, and medication usage. Controlling lumbar flexion in the early morning is a form of self-care with potential for reducing pain and costs associated with chronic, nonspecific low back pain.

Lumbar erector spinae oxygenation during prolonged contractions: Implications for prolonged work

Article

May 2000

Owing to the recent interest in torso stabilization exercises together with many questions regarding the duration of prolonged isometric holds in occupational settings, the authors attempted to assess the level of back muscle oxygenation during prolonged isometric contractions. Specifically, this study recorded relative oxygen saturation of haemoglobin/myoglobin using Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) in the L3 erector mass during prolonged isometric contractions at intensities from 2 to 30% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). It was hypothesized that available oxygen to these muscles is severely compromised even at moderate levels of activation observed in occupational work. Eight volunteers without a history of lower back pain or injury participated in this study. The exercise task involved isometric contraction of the lower erector spinae at five different levels of each subject's maximal voluntary contraction: 2, 5, 10, 20 and 30% MVC, presented in random order. Subjects were placed in a sitting position, with a curved plastic plate secured horizontally to the pelvis to minimize movement at the hip joint. During extensor exertions, they were restrained with a harness that was attached at chest level to a load cell. Each isometric contraction was performed for 30 s followed by 1 min of rest. All levels of contraction demonstrated reduction in oxygen. Given the concern for motion artefact on the NIRS signal, sham trials were conducted where the subjects went through the procedure of attaching the pulling cable but no active pull was performed. These trials showed no change in the NIRS signal. At this time NIRS appears to be the only non-invasive instrumentation available to indicate total available muscle oxygen during low level, prolonged work. Although the specific tissue volume sampled by NIRS cannot be positively identified, it appears that tissue oxygenation in the lumbar extensor musculature is reduced as a function of contraction intensity, even at levels as low as 2% of MVC. These data have implications for prolonged work where postures requiring isometric contractions are sometimes held for hours, and where musculoskeletal illness has been linked to prolonged contraction levels above 2%MVC--these data suggest a possible biological pathway.

Intervertebral disc herniation: Studies on a porcine model exposed to highly repetitive flexion/extension motion with compressive force

Article

Feb 2001
CLIN BIOMECH

To determine whether repeated motion with low magnitude joint forces, and flexion/extension moments consistently produce herniation in a non-degenerated, controlled porcine spine motion segment. Combined loading (flexion/extension motions and compressive forces) was applied to in vitro porcine functional spinal units. Biomechanical and radiographic characteristics were documented. While most studies performed in vitro have examined uniaxial or fixed position loading to older specimens, there have been few studies that have examined whether 'healthy' intervertebral discs can be injured by low magnitude repeated combined loading. Porcine cervical spine motion segments (C3-C4) were mounted in a custom jig which applied axial compressive loads with pure flexion/extension moments. Dynamic testing was conducted to a maximum of 86400 bending cycles at a rate of 1 Hz with simultaneous torques, angular rotations, axial deformations recorded for the duration of the test. Herniation (posterior and posterior-lateral regions of the annulus) occurred with relatively modest joint compression but with highly repetitive flexion/extension moments. Increased magnitudes of axial compressive force resulted in more frequent and more severe disc injuries. The results support the notion that intervertebral disc herniation may be more linked to repeated flexion extension motions than applied joint compression, at least with younger, non-degenerated specimens. Relevance. While intervertebral disc herniations are observed clinically, consistent reproduction of this injury in the laboratory has been elusive. This study was designed to examine the biomechanical response and failure mechanics of spine motion segments to highly repetitive low magnitude complex loading.

Neuromuscular Function in Athletes Following Recovery From a Recent Acute Low Back Injury

Article

Dec 2002

Observational case control design. To examine muscle response to sudden trunk loading in athletes with and without a recent history of acute low back injury (LBI). Impaired neuromuscular function is associated with chronic low back pain. This study examined whether such impairment persists after recovery from an acute LBI. Seventeen athletes who had a recent history of acute LBI and 17 matched healthy controls were tested. At the time of testing (mean = 56 days postinjury, range = 7-120 days postinjury), all athletes were symptom free and had returned to regular competition. Subjects performed isometric exertions in trunk flexion, extension, and left and right lateral bending against a trunk restraining cable. Upon reaching the target isometric force, the cable was released to impose sudden loading on the lumbar spine. Surface EMG signals from 12 major trunk muscles were recorded. The shut-off and switch-on latencies and number of muscles responding to sudden loading were compared between the 2 groups. In all 4 testing directions, the athletes with a recent history of acute LBI shut off significantly fewer muscles and did so with delayed latency. On average, the injured subjects shut off 4.0 out of 6.0 (SD = 1.3) muscles compared to 4.6 out of 6.0 (SD = 1.3) muscles in the control group. The average muscle shut-off latency was 71 (SD = 31) milliseconds for the injured and 50 (SD = 21) milliseconds for the control subjects. No differences were found in number or latency of muscles switching on. These objective measures of neuromuscular function indicated an altered muscle response pattern to sudden trunk loading in athletes following their clinical recovery from a recent acute LBI.

Determining the Stabilizing Role of Individual Torso Muscles During Rehabilitation Exercises

Article

Jul 2004
SPINE

A systematic biomechanical analysis involving an artificial perturbation applied to individual lumbar muscles in order to assess their potential stabilizing role. To identify which torso muscles stabilize the spine during different loading conditions and to identify possible mechanisms of function. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA.: Stabilization exercises are thought to train muscle patterns that ensure spine stability; however, little quantification and no consensus exists as to which muscles contribute to stability. Spine kinematics, external forces, and 14 channels of torso electromyography were recorded for seven stabilization exercises in order to capture the individual motor control strategies adopted by different people. Data were input into a detailed model of the lumbar spine to quantify spine joint forces and stability. The EMG signal for a particular muscle was replaced either unilaterally or bilaterally by a sinusoid, and the resultant change in the stability index was quantified. A direction-dependent-stabilizing role was noticed in the larger, multisegmental muscles, whereas a specific subtle efficiency to generate stability was observed for the smaller, intersegmental spinal muscles. No single muscle dominated in the enhancement of spine stability, and their individual roles were continuously changing across tasks. Clinically, if the goal is to train for stability, enhancing motor patterns that incorporate many muscles rather than targeting just a few is justifiable.

Methodological approaches and rationale for training to prevent acl injuries in female athletes

Article

Nov 2004

Female athletes have a four- to sevenfold increased risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury compared with their male counterparts playing at similar levels in the same sports. The elevated risk of ACL injury in females coupled with the geometric increase in female sports participation in the last 30 years has led to a rapid rise in these injuries. This large increase in ACL injury incidence has fueled studies into both mechanisms of injury and interventions to prevent injury. A review of published multidisciplinary approaches demonstrates that several training protocols have utilized multiple components targeted toward injury prevention training and were able to reduce injury incidence in female athletes. Similar training techniques may also be used to gain improvements in measures of performance. The purpose of this review is to highlight training components that may reduce ACL injury risk and assess their potential for combined use in performance-oriented protocols.

Quantifying Tissue Loads and Spine Stability While Performing Commonly Prescribed Low Back Stabilization Exercises

Article

Nov 2004
SPINE

A quantitative biomechanical comparison of seven different lumbar spine "stabilization exercises." The purpose of this research was to quantify lumbar spine stability resulting from the muscle activation patterns measured when performing selected stabilization exercises. Many exercises are termed "stabilization exercises" for the low back; however, limited attempts have been made to quantify spine stability and the resultant tissue loading. Ranking resultant stability together with spinal load is very helpful for guiding clinical decision-making and therapeutic exercise design. Eight stabilization exercises were quantified in this study. Spine kinematics, external forces, and 14 channels of torso EMG were recorded for each exercise. These data were input into a modified version of a lumbar spine model described by Cholewicki and McGill (1996) to quantify stability and L4-L5 compression. A rank order of the various exercises was produced based on stability, muscle activation levels, and lumbar compression. Quantification of the calibrated muscle activation levels together with low back compression and resultant stability assists clinical decisions regarding the most appropriate exercise for specific patients and specific objectives.

The direction of progressive herniation in porcine spine motion segments is influenced by the orientation of the bending axis

Article

Mar 2005
CLIN BIOMECH

It has been shown that disc herniations are a cumulative injury created by repetitive flexion motion while under modest compressive loads. There is a lack of data linking the direction of nucleus tracking to the orientation of the bending motion axis. Our purpose was to determine if the direction that the nucleus tracks through the annulus during progressive herniation is predictable from the direction of bending motion (i.e. a specific side with posterio-lateral herniation). Matched cohorts (nu=16) of porcine cervical spine (C3/4 and C5/6) motion segments were potted in aluminum cups and bent at an angle of 30 degrees to the sagittal plane flexion axis while under a sustained compressive load of 1472 N. The direction of bending motion affected the tracking pattern of the nucleus through the annular fibres in a predictable pattern. Specifically, bending the motion segments at an angle of 30 degrees to the left of the sagittal plane flexion axis biased the movement of the nucleus toward the posterior right side of the disc in 15 of the 16 specimens. Based on this animal model, shown to have similar biomechanical behaviour to humans, the direction that the nucleus tracks through the annular fibres appears to be dependent upon the direction of bending motion. This may have implications on both herniation prevention and rehabilitation of posterio-lateral bulges and herniations.

Reducing Knee and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries Among Female Athletes – A Systematic Review of Neuromuscular Training Interventions

Article

Feb 2005

There is evidence that neuromuscular training not only decreases the potential biomechanical risk factors for ACL injury, but also decreases knee and, specifically, ACL injury incidence in female athletes. Five of the six interventions in this systematic review demonstrated significant effects on overall knee or ACL injury rates. It appears that plyometric power, biomechanics and technique, strength, balance, and core stability training can induce neuromuscular changes and potential injury prevention effects in female athletes. However, it is unknown which of these components is most effective or whether the effects are combinatorial. Future research should assess the relative efficacy of these interventions alone and in combination to achieve the optimal effect in the most efficient manner possible. Selective combination of neuromuscular training components may provide additive effects, further reducing the risk of ACL injuries in female athletes. Additional research directions include the assessment of relative injury risk using mass neuromuscular screening, the development of more specific injury prevention protocols targeted toward high-risk athletes, and the determination of when these interventions should be implemented. It may be that prepubertal or early pubertal female athletes may have the potential to achieve optimal biomechanical changes and the greatest chance of injury-free sports participation throughout their careers.

An equation to calculate individual muscle contributions to joint stability

Article

Jun 2005
J BIOMECH

The purpose of the current paper was to use the energy approach to develop a simplified equation for quantifying individual muscle contributions to mechanical stability about all three axes of a particular joint. Specific examples are provided for muscles acting about the lumbar spine's L4/L5 joint. The stability equation requires input of: (1) origin and insertion coordinates, relative to the joint of interest, (2) muscle force, and (3) muscle stiffness. The muscle force must be derived from a biomechanical analysis that first results in static equilibrium about all axes being studied. The equation can also accommodate muscles with nodes that change the line of action, with respect to a particular joint, as it passes from the origin to insertion. The results from this equation were compared to those from a Moment approach using more than two million simulated muscles with three-dimensional orientations. The differences between approaches were negligible in all cases. The primary advantage of the current method is that it is very easy to implement into any 2D or 3D biomechanical model of any joint, or system of joints. Furthermore, this approach will be useful in dissecting total joint stability into the individual contributions of each muscle for various systems, joints, postures and recruitment patterns.

Muscle force–stiffness characteristics influence joint stability: A spine example

Article

Dec 2005
CLIN BIOMECH

The muscle force-stiffness relationship has often been modeled as linear, while in situ muscle research has clearly demonstrated non-linearity. Estimation of rotational joint stability relies on both a muscle's instantaneous pre-perturbation force and stiffness. Under conditions of static equilibrium, a muscle's stiffness will function in a stabilizing manner, while its force can function in either a stabilizing or destabilizing manner depending on the muscle's orientation about the joint. A single muscle (rectus abdominis) was modeled and its individual direct stabilizing potential about the L4-L5 spine joint was analyzed. Three force-stiffness relationships were examined: (1) linear; (2) non-linear with moderate stiffness magnitudes; (3) non-linear with higher stiffness magnitudes. With a linear force-stiffness relationship, stability increased proportional to muscle force; with a non-linear relationship, stability peaked and subsequently decreased at submaximal muscle forces. When considering the lower, as opposed to the higher non-linear stiffness magnitudes, the stabilizing potential of the muscle peaked at a lower muscle force level and actually became negative (destabilizing) at a critical stiffness magnitude. It was concluded that a non-linear muscle force-stiffness relationship greatly alters the individual stabilizing potential of the muscle throughout its progression of force development. A muscle's stabilizing contribution may actually peak at and subsequently decrease above a critical submaximal force level. Incorporating this knowledge into stability models may assist in recognizing unstable events that lead to injury at higher levels of muscle activation.

Preliminary Development of a Clinical Prediction Rule for Determining Which Patients With Low Back Pain Will Respond to a Stabilization Exercise Program

Article

Oct 2005
ARCH PHYS MED REHAB

To develop a clinical prediction rule to predict treatment response to a stabilization exercise program for patients with low back pain (LBP). A prospective, cohort study of patients with nonradicular LBP referred to physical therapy (PT). Outpatient PT clinics. Fifty-four patients with nonradicular LBP. A standardized stabilization exercise program. Treatment response (success or failure) was categorized based on changes in the Oswestry Disability Questionnaire scores after 8 weeks. Eighteen subjects were categorized as treatment successes, 15 as treatment failures, and 21 as somewhat improved. After using regression analyses to determine the association between standardized examination variables and treatment response status, preliminary clinical prediction rules were developed for predicting success (positive likelihood ratio [LR], 4.0) and failure (negative LR, .18). The most important variables were age, straight-leg raise, prone instability test, aberrant motions, lumbar hypermobility, and fear-avoidance beliefs. It appears that the response to a stabilization exercise program in patients with LBP can be predicted from variables collected from the clinical examination. The prediction rules could be used to determine whether patients with LBP are likely to benefit from stabilization exercises.

Sitting on a chair or an exercise ball: Various perspectives to guide decision making

Article

Jun 2006
CLIN BIOMECH

Prolonged sitting is recognized as a risk factor for the reporting of low back troubles. Despite the use of exercise balls in replacement of the office chair, little quantitative evidence exists to support this practice and hence motivated this research. Given the potential for several biological effects and mechanisms this study was approached with several layers of instrumentation to quantify differences in muscle activation, spine posture, spine compression and stability while sitting on an exercise ball versus a stable seat surface. Also, differences in the pressure distribution at the seat-user interface were quantified for the different seat surfaces to provide an objective perspective on the mechanism influencing perceived comfort levels. Eight male subjects volunteered to sit for 30 min on an exercise ball and on a wooden stool. Muscle activity and spine position were used to model spine load and stability. An additional seven sat on an exercise ball and chair to examine pressure distribution over the contact area. There was no difference in muscle activation profiles of each of the 14 muscles between sitting on the stool and ball. Calculated stability and compression values showed sitting on the ball made no difference in mean response values. The contact area of the seat-user interface was greatest on the exercise ball. The results of this study suggest that prolonged sitting on a dynamic, unstable seat surface does not significantly affect the magnitudes of muscle activation, spine posture, spine loads or overall spine stability. Sitting on a ball appears to spread out the contact area possibly resulting in uncomfortable soft tissue compression perhaps explaining the reported discomfort.

Core Training: Evidence Translating to Better Performance and Injury Prevention

Abstract

No full-text available