TRANSVERSUS ABDOMINIS ACTIVATION AND TIMING IMPROVES FOLLOWING CORE STABILITY TRAINING: A RANDOMIZED TRIAL

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation science
• Biomechanics
• Musculoskeletal health

Background:

• Non-specific low back pain (LBP) is often linked to reduced transversus abdominis (TrA) muscle activation and delayed contraction timing during limb movements.
• Impaired core stability, specifically TrA function, can contribute to recurrent LBP episodes.
• Restoring proper TrA timing is crucial for effective extremity movement and LBP management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a four-week core stability rehabilitation program on TrA activation ratio and contraction onset during upper extremity movements.
• To compare these effects in individuals with LBP versus healthy controls.
• Hypothesized that LBP participants would show greater improvements in TrA activation and timing.

Main Methods:

• A randomized clinical trial involving 42 participants (21 healthy, 21 LBP).
• Ultrasound imaging assessed TrA activation ratio and initial contraction timing during upper extremity flexion.
• Participants engaged in a twice-weekly, four-week progressive core exercise program or served as controls.

Main Results:

• The four-week core stability program significantly increased TrA activation ratio and improved the onset of TrA contraction in the exercise group compared to the control group.
• Strong effect sizes were observed for both TrA activation ratio (0.71) and initial contraction onset (-1.88), indicating clinically significant changes.
• No demographic differences were noted between healthy and LBP groups.

Conclusions:

• A four-week core stability program effectively altered TrA activation and timing in both individuals with and without LBP.
• Clinicians are advised to consider integrating these core exercises to enhance TrA function.
• The findings support the use of targeted core rehabilitation for improving neuromuscular control and potentially managing LBP.