The effects of core stability training on the surface EMG activity of the rectus abdominus and lumbar erector spinae musculature in the upright stance of asymptomatic subjects

Item

Title
The effects of core stability training on the surface EMG activity of the rectus abdominus and lumbar erector spinae musculature in the upright stance of asymptomatic subjects
Author(s)
Chernick Robert S
Abstract
Background: Low back pain represents the most prevalent and expensive industrial and occupational health problem with a multifaceted aetiology. Spinal stability is highly dependent on the neuromuscular system. Injury to the low back may cause the body to compensate by adopting alternative and inappropriate muscle recruitment patterns placing strain on the superficial global stability systems (including rectus abdominus and lumbar erector spinae). Core stability training is a specific submaximal exercise method based on the re-education of the co-contraction of the local stability motor system (multifidus and transversus abdominus) by enhancing proprioceptive awareness and control, which enables people to control and maintain optimal spinal and pelvic alignment for functional movements. Research indicates that core stability training can reduce the severity and recurrence of low back pain, but there are few studies that have assessed the effects of core stability training on superficial trunk muscular activity.
Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of a 6-week core stability training program on the surface EMG activity of the rectus abdominus and lumbar erector spinae in the upright standing posture.
Study Design: A repeated measures, pre-, mid- and post- test same-subject experimental design.
Methods: 29 healthy asymptomatic students from the undergraduate population at the British College of Osteopathic Medicine participated in the study. Surface EMG was measured using the Verimed Myoexorciser Dual II recording device pre, post 3 week, and post 6 week intervention. The intervention group consisted of 19 subjects (10 male, 9 female; mean age 27.1±5.5) who took part in a 6-week exercise program for 10-15 minutes daily. 10 subjects (6 male, 4 female; mean age 27.6±5.8) formed a control group with no intervention over the 6 week period.
Results: Male and female data was pooled due to small subject population. Statistical analysis with one-way repeated measures ANOVA revealed statistically significant increases in the surface EMG of lumbar erector spinae activity after the 6-week core stability programme (p<0.05). No significant difference was found for rectus abdominus (p>0.05) activity in the intervention group. No significant difference was found for both rectus abdominus (p>0.05) and lumbar erector spinae (p>0.05) activity in the control group.
Conclusions: Previous research has indicated the use of core stability training exercises for the reduction of LBP severity, recurrence, and as a preventative measure for LBP. However, the sEMG results of this study give little evidence to support these claims and the possibility that proprioceptive awareness is enhanced from the core stability training programme. Also no evidence was given for trunk muscle co-activation during the upright stance.
presented at
British College of Osteopathic Medicine
Date Accepted
0
Date Submitted
1.1.1970 00:00:00
Type
osteo_thesis
Language
English
Submitted by:
62
Pub-Identifier
13623
Inst-Identifier
1076
Recommended
0
Item sets
Thesis

Chernick Robert S, “The effects of core stability training on the surface EMG activity of the rectus abdominus and lumbar erector spinae musculature in the upright stance of asymptomatic subjects”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 4, 2025, https://www.osteopathicresearch.org/s/orw/item/1134