Spinal Muscle Thickness and Activation during Abdominal Hollowing and Bracing in CrossFit^® Athletes.

ABSTRACT: Exercises that improve muscle activation are essential for maintaining spinal stability and preventing low back pain. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of abdominal hollowing and bracing on the activation of the core muscles in CrossFit^® participants using ultrasound and electromyography (EMG). Twenty-four healthy adults aged 21 to 42 years old with at least two years of CrossFit^® experience performed three core stability exercises (plank, side plank, bridge) with abdominal hollowing and bracing. We measured the ultrasound relative thickness of the local core muscles (transversus abdominis, internal oblique, and lumbar multifidus), and the EMG percentage of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) of the global core muscles (rectus abdominis, external ob

SUBMITTER: Tsartsapakis I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10458255 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature