Modifying the hip abduction angle during bridging exercise can facilitate gluteus maximus activity

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Exercise Physiology
• Musculoskeletal Research

Background:

• The bridging exercise is commonly used to strengthen the gluteal muscles.
• Understanding muscle activation patterns during exercises is crucial for effective training and injury prevention.
• Anterior pelvic tilt can be associated with muscle imbalances and low back pain.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the effects of varying hip abduction angles (0°, 15°, 30°) during bridging on erector spinae (ES) and gluteus maximus (GM) muscle activity.
• To assess changes in the anterior pelvic tilt angle with different hip abduction angles during the bridging exercise.

Main Methods:

• Twenty healthy participants (10 males, 10 females) performed bridging exercises.
• Surface electromyography (EMG) recorded ES and GM muscle activity at 0°, 15°, and 30° hip abduction.
• Anterior pelvic tilt was measured using Image J software.

Main Results:

• Gluteus maximus (GM) muscle activity and the GM/ES EMG ratio were highest at 30° hip abduction.
• Erector spinae (ES) muscle activity was significantly lower at 30° hip abduction compared to 0° and 15°.
• Anterior pelvic tilt angle was significantly reduced at 30° hip abduction.

Conclusions:

• Bridging with 30° hip abduction effectively facilitates gluteus maximus (GM) activation.
• This exercise variation minimizes compensatory erector spinae (ES) muscle activity.
• Incorporating 30° hip abduction during bridging can help decrease anterior pelvic tilt.