University of Tasmania
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

Exercising on different unstable surfaces increases core abdominal muscle thickness: An observational study using real-time ultrasound

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-20, 14:29 authored by Gibbons, TJ, Marie-Louise BirdMarie-Louise Bird

Background: The training of abdominal muscles has a positive impact on the functional capacity of healthy adults, being applied practically in fields of athletics and fitness through rehabilitation for lower back pain.

Objective: The study compares abdominal muscle activity while performing graded isometric exercises on stable and unstable surfaces. The authors also examined perceived stability and comfort for the different surfaces.

Methods: A total of 30 young, healthy adults performed 3 graded isometric exercises on a Pilates table, foam roller, and Oov (a newly developed tool). Ultrasound investigation measured transversus abdominis, internal oblique abdominis, and external oblique abdominis thickness during each task, comparing muscle thickness between conditions using general linear modeling.

Results: Core abdominal activation was greater on the foam roller than the Oov and Pilates table during crook lying (bilateral leg support). Both Oov and foam roller elicited greater contralateral transversus abdominis and internal oblique abdominis thickness than the Pilates table during tabletop and straight leg raises (unilateral leg exercises). For transversus abdominis only, the foam roller elicited more muscle thickness than the Oov during straight leg raises. The Oov was rated more comfortable than the foam roller.

Discussion:Exercises performed on the Oov and foam roller elicit core greater abdominal muscle thickness than those performed on a Pilates table. Unilateral leg exercises in a supine position elicit more contralateral muscle thickness than those with bilateral leg support.

Conclusions: These results provide information to support choices in exercise progression from flat stable to more unstable surfaces and from those with bilateral foot support to unilateral foot support. The Oov was more comfortable that the foam roller, and this may help with exercise adherence.

History

Publication title

Journal of Sport Rehabilitation

Volume

28

Issue

8

Pagination

803-808

ISSN

1056-6716

Department/School

School of Health Sciences

Publisher

Human Kinetics Publ Inc

Place of publication

1607 N Market St, Champaign, USA, Il, 61820-2200

Rights statement

Copyright 2019 Human Kinetics, Inc.

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Preventive medicine

Usage metrics

    University Of Tasmania

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC