Comparison of the electromyographic recruitment of the posterior oblique sling muscles during prone hip extension among three different shoulder positions

Effects of pelvic tilt control using visual biofeedback on gluteus maximus, multifidus, and hamstring activities during three different bridge exercises

BACKGROUND

The effects of pelvic tilt control using visual biofeedback on gluteus maximus (GM), multifidus (MF), and hamstring (HAM) muscle activities during bridge exercises involving anterior pelvic tilt (APT), neutral pelvic tilt (NPT), and posterior pelvic tilt (PPT) were investigated.

METHODS

Twenty-five healthy participants were included (mean age, 24.6 ± 1.9 years). Visual biofeedback was used for the participants to self-control pelvic tilt during the bridge exercises. Pelvic tilt controls were performed in a random order (APT vs. NPT vs. PPT) following 30 minutes education program. GM, MF, and HAM muscle activities were measured by surface electromyography. One-way repeated analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc test were used.

RESULT

GM and MF muscle activities significantly differed among the different pelvic tilting controls (APT vs. NPT vs. PPT) (p < .017). GM muscle activity during the exercise involving PPT was significantly higher than that involving APT and NPT (p < .017). In contrast, MF muscle activity during the exercise involving PPT was significantly lower than that involving APT (p < .017). In addition, the GM/Right MF, GM/Left MF, and GM/HAM muscle activity ratios during the exercise involving PPT were significantly greater than those involving APT and NPT (p < .017).

CONCLUSIONS

The bridge exercise involving PPT using visual biofeedback can be recommended as a home exercise to selectively improve the muscle activity of the GM and the muscle activity ratio of the GM/HAM and GM/MF. This information may be valuable for clinicians seeking exercise programs to target specific muscles effectively.

The effect of core stability-based corrective exercises on gait parameters in elite soccer players diagnosed with Middle Crossed Syndrome

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of core stability-based corrective exercises, on gait parameters in elite soccer players diagnosed with middle crossed syndrome.

METHODS

15 male elite soccer players (aged 18-28) were enrolled in a same-subject intervention trial to assess if the middle crossed syndrome could be influenced through core stability exercise. Core stability-based corrective exercises were completed 3 times per week for 8 weeks and changes in gait parameters (pre- and post- intervention) were measured.

RESULTS

The results showed that most gait parameters including stride length (p = 0.025), gait speed (p = 0.023), number of strides (p = 0.007), length of shots (p = 0.003), and also soccer players' height (p = 0.011) improved significantly in post-intervention in comparison to pre-intervention. Stride width in post-intervention did not show changes in comparison with pre-intervention (p = 0.083).

CONCLUSION

The results indicate the significant effectiveness of core stability-based corrective exercises on gait parameters in those with middle crossed syndrome. By doing corrective exercises based on core stability during the study period, gait parameters in the post-intervention surpass the results in the pre-intervention in most parameters. Therefore, it is proposed that corrective exercises based on core stability is a safe and useful method for improving function in those with middle crossed syndrome and it could be used as a therapy to help players identified with this finding. In this regard, it is suggested to researchers and coaches to correct imbalances in order to achieve better results in training programs.