Surface electromyographic analysis of the bilateral abdomen and back muscle during selected yoga posture

Sedentary lifestyles lead to postural deformities, Lower Back Pain(LBP) and Colorectal cancer(CRC). Practicing Yoga attains definite strength in muscles by activating muscle fibers. The Yoga poses analyzed are often used in strengthening and stability programs for the abdomen and back muscles.

To determine the potential use of Dolphin pose and Dolphin plank in specific strengthening endurance and rehabilitation programs via sEMG analysis in the selected bilateral abdomen and lower back muscles.

Surface electromyographic analysis was conducted on bilateral muscles, including the Rectus Abdominis(RA), External oblique(EO), Internal oblique(IO), and Erector Spinae(ES), resulting in Dolphin pose(DS), Dolphin plank(DP), and High plank(HP). Data were expressed by Root Mean Square(RMS) of each bilateral muscle during each Pose normalized as 100% of maximum voluntary isometric contraction(MVIC).

Dolphin plank(DP) generated a very high-level muscle activation than 100% MVIC in all bilateral muscles, and there was a significant main effect of Pose e (p < 0.001). Erector spinae generated more activation in the Dolphin pose (p < 0.05) than in the HP and DS. No significant difference between bilateral activity differences in DP and DS. There was a significant difference between RRA and LRA (p < 0.001) and RIO and LIO (p < 0.0001).

Findings have suggested that the Dolphin plank could be used for abdomen strengthening, performance enhancement, and rehabilitation programs. Dolphin pose may benefit lower back stability by providing endurance to the Erector spinae muscle. So, this yoga pose can be incorporated into the yoga training module for addressing lower back pain(LBP) caused by longer sitting in a sedentary lifestyle.