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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Muscle Function Obtained with Motion Mode Ultrasound and Surface Electromyography during Core Endurance Exercise

Muscle Function Obtained with Motion Mode Ultrasound and Surface Electromyography during Core Endurance Exercise

Published on: August 25, 2022

Exercises for spine stabilization: motion/motor patterns, stability progressions, and clinical technique.

Stuart M McGill¹, Amy Karpowicz

¹Department of Kinesiology, Spine Biomechanics Laboratory, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada. mcgill@healthy.uwaterloo.ca

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

|January 22, 2009

Summary

This study quantifies muscle activity and 3D spine position during various curl-up, side-bridge, and birddog exercises. Findings guide clinicians in selecting appropriate exercises and techniques for patient rehabilitation and progression.

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Area of Science:

Biomechanics and Exercise Physiology
Clinical Decision Support in Rehabilitation

Background:

Understanding trunk muscle activation and 3D spine kinematics is crucial for effective exercise prescription.
Variations in common exercises like curl-ups, side-bridges, and bird-dogs may alter muscle engagement and spinal loading.

Purpose of the Study:

To quantify muscle activity and 3D spine position for multiple exercise variations, including corrective techniques.
To provide data assisting clinicians in exercise selection, progression, and patient tolerance enhancement.

Main Methods:

Basic science study involving healthy male participants (N=8).
Surface electromyography (sEMG) of trunk and hip muscles.
3D spine posture analysis using video analysis.

Main Results:

Progressive increases in muscle activation were observed across exercise variations.
Abdominal bracing generally enhanced oblique activation, but techniques varied muscle recruitment patterns.
Movement-based variations (e.g., drawing squares) and breathing strategies differentially affected muscle activation.
Specific corrective techniques, like fascial raking, significantly altered abdominal muscle activation.

Conclusions:

The study provides quantitative data to inform clinical decisions regarding exercise selection, dosage, and progression.
Findings can help optimize exercise prescription for improved patient outcomes and tolerance.
Corrective techniques offer potential for targeted muscle activation modulation.