Abdominal muscle activity during a standing long jump.

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Human Movement Science
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Abdominal muscle activation patterns during dynamic, full-body movements like jumping remain under-examined, particularly for deep core muscles.
• The transversus abdominis (TrA), a key deep abdominal muscle, has not been studied in the context of jumping mechanics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the activation timing (onset) and intensity (magnitude) of abdominal muscles during a standing long jump.
• To investigate the roles of the transversus abdominis (TrA), rectus abdominis (RA), and external oblique (EO) during different phases of a jump.

Main Methods:

• An experimental laboratory study involving 13 healthy male participants performing a standing long jump.
• Wire electromyography (EMG) was used for the TrA, and surface EMG for the RA and EO, alongside video analysis.
• EMG signals were analyzed for activation onset relative to the RA and normalized activation levels during preparation, push-off, and float phases.

Main Results:

• The TrA demonstrated earlier activation onset compared to the EO, both relative to the RA onset.
• All measured abdominal muscles (TrA, RA, EO) exhibited significantly higher activation levels during the push-off phase.
• Muscle activation magnitudes were greatest during the propulsive push-off phase of the jump.

Conclusions:

• The transversus abdominis (TrA) is activated preceding the rectus abdominis (RA) and external oblique (EO) during the standing long jump, aligning with findings from trunk perturbation studies.
• The push-off phase is characterized by the highest levels of abdominal muscle activation during this dynamic movement.