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Updated: Jun 26, 2026
09:21
Muscle Function Obtained with Motion Mode Ultrasound and Surface Electromyography during Core Endurance Exercise
Published on: August 25, 2022
Electrical muscle stimulation for deep stabilizing muscles in abdominal wall
Simon Coghlan1, Louis Crowe, Ulrik McCarthyPersson
1School of Physiotherapy and Performance Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland. simon.coghlan@ucd.ie
Summary
Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) can preferentially activate deep stabilizing muscles, like the transverses abdominis, which is crucial for low back pain rehabilitation. This suggests EMS has therapeutic potential for improving lumbopelvic muscle function.
Area of Science:
- Rehabilitation medicine
- Neuromuscular electrical stimulation
- Musculoskeletal disorders
Background:
- Low back pain is frequently linked to impaired recruitment of lumbopelvic stabilizing muscles.
- Effective rehabilitation strategies necessitate targeted activation of deep core muscles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the response of deep stabilizers (transversus abdominis) and superficial abdominal muscles (external oblique) to electrical muscle stimulation (EMS).
Main Methods:
- Investigated the effects of EMS on transversus abdominis and external oblique muscle activation.
- Quantified muscle response to electrical stimulation parameters.
Main Results:
- Electrical muscle stimulation demonstrated preferential activation of deep stabilizing muscles (transversus abdominis) over superficial muscles (external oblique).
- Results indicate EMS can selectively stimulate target deep muscles.
Conclusions:
- Electrical muscle stimulation shows promise as a therapeutic tool for enhancing deep stabilizer function in low back pain rehabilitation.
- Further technological development is warranted to optimize EMS for clinical application in lumbopelvic dysfunction.
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Anterolateral Region
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Wave summation
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Wave summation
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