Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 2016; 37(02): 134-143
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1559771
Training & Testing
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Intra-abdominal Pressure and Trunk Muscular Activities during Abdominal Bracing and Hollowing

K. Tayashiki
1   National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya, Sport and Life Science, Kanoya, Japan
,
Y. Takai
2   National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya, Sport Performance, Kanoya-shi, Japan
,
S. Maeo
3   Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, Tokorozawa, Japan
,
H. Kanehisa
2   National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya, Sport Performance, Kanoya-shi, Japan
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted after revision 04 August 2015

Publication Date:
28 October 2015 (online)

Also available at
   Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

This study examined the difference in intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) between abdominal bracing and hollowing in relation to trunk muscular activities. IAP with a pressure transducer placed in the rectum and surface electromyograms for rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, and erector spinae during the 2 tasks were obtained in 7 young adult men. The difference between IAP at rest and its peak value (ΔIAPmax) showed high intra- and inter-day repeatability, and was significantly greater in abdominal bracing (116.4±15.0 mmHg) than in abdominal hollowing (9.9±4.5 mmHg). The trunk muscular activities at ΔIAPmax were significantly higher in abdominal bracing than in abdominal hollowing, and in the internal oblique than in the other 3 muscles. In both abdominal bracing and hollowing, the changes in IAP during the tasks were linearly correlated with those in trunk muscular activities, but the slope of the regression line for the relationship differed between the 2 tasks. The current results indicate that 1) abdominal bracing is an effective maneuver to elevate IAP compared with abdominal hollowing, and 2) in the 2 tasks, the changes in IAP are linked with those in trunk muscular activities, but the association is task-specific.

Key words

stabilization exercise - electromyogram - repeatability - task specificity
 

  • References

  • 1 Bland JM, Altman DG. Statistical methods for assessing agreement between two methods of clinical measurement. Lancet 1986; 8: 307-310
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 2 Cholewicki J, Ivancic PC, Radebold A. Can increased intra-abdominal pressure in humans be decoupled from trunk muscle co-contraction during steady state isometric exertions?. Eur J Appl Physiol 2002; 87: 127-133
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 3 Cresswell AG, Grundstrom H, Thorstensson A. Observations on intra-abdominal pressure and patterns of abdominal intra-muscular activity in man. Acta Physiol Scand 1992; 144: 409-418
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 4 Cresswell AG, Thorstensson A. Changes in intra-abdominal pressure, trunk muscle activation and force during isokinetic lifting and lowering. Eur J Appl Physiol 1994; 68: 315-321
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 5 Cresswell AG, Blake PL, Thorstensson A. The effect of an abdominal muscle training program on intra-abdominal pressure. Scand J Rehabil Med 1994; 26: 79-86
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 6 Dupeyron A, Hertzog M, Micallef JP, Perrey S. Does an abdominal strengthening program influence leg stiffness during hopping tasks?. J Strength Cond Res 2013; 27: 2129-2133
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 7 Essendrop M, Andersen TB, Schibye B. Increase in spinal stability obtained at levels of intra-abdominal pressure and back muscle activity realistic to work situations. Appl Ergon 2002; 33: 471-476
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 8 Essendrop M, Trojei Hye-Knudsen C, Skotte J, Faber Hansen A, Schibye B. Fast development of high intra-abdominal pressure when a trained participant is exposed to heavy, sudden trunk loads. Spine 2004; 29: 94-99
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 9 Harman EA, Frykman PN, Clagett ER, Kraemer WJ. Intra-abdominal and intra-thoracic pressure during lifting and jumping. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1988; 20: 195-201
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 10 Harriss DJ, Atkinson G. Ethical standards in sport and exercise science research: 2014 update. Int J Sports Med 2013; 34: 1025-1028
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 11 Hodges PW, Eriksson M, Shirley D, Gandevia SC. Intra-abdominal pressure increases stiffness of the lumbar spine. J Biomech 2005; 38: 1873-1880
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 12 Junginger B, Baessler K, Sapsford R, Hodges PW. Effect of abdominal and pelvic floor tasks on muscle activity, abdominal pressure and bladder neck. Int Urogynecol J 2010; 21: 69-77
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 13 Kawabata M, Kagaya Y, Shima N, Nishizono H. Change in intra-abdominal pressure and trunk activation during drop jump. Jpn J Phys Fitness Sports Med 2008; 57: 225-234
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 14 Kawabata M, Shima N, Hamada H, Nakamura I, Nishizono H. Change in intra-abdominal pressure and spontaneous breath volume by magnitude of lifting effort: highly trained athletes versus healthy men. Eur J Appl Physiol 2010; 109: 279-286
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 15 Kumar S. Physiological responses to weight lifting in different planes. Ergonomics 1980; 23: 987-993
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 16 Maeo S, Takahashi T, Takai Y, Kanehisa H. Trunk muscle activities during abdominal bracing: comparison among muscles and exercises. J Sports Sci Med 2013; 12: 467-474
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 17 Malbrain ML. Different techniques to measure intra-abdominal pressure (IAP): time for a critical re-appraisal. Care Med 2004; 30: 357-371
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 18 McCarthy TA. Validity of rectal pressure measurements as indication of intra-abdominal pressure changes during urodynamic evaluation. Urology 1982; 20: 657-660
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 19 McGill SM, Sharratt M. Relationship between intra-abdominal pressure and trunk EMG. Clin Biomech 1990; 5: 59-67
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 20 McMeeken JM, Beith ID, Newha DJ, Milligan P, Critchely DJ. The relationship between EMG and change in thckness of transversus abdominis. Clin Biomech 2004; 19: 337-342
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 21 Miyamoto K, Iinuma N, Maeda M, Wada E, Shimizu K. Effects of abdominal belts on intra-abdominal pressure, intramuscular pressure in the erector spinae muscles and myoelectrical activities of trunk muscles. Clin Biomech 1999; 14: 79-87
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 22 Nordin M, Elfström G, Dahlquist P. Intra-abdominal pressure measurements using a wireless radio pressure pill and two wire connected pressure transducers: a comparison. Scand J Rehabil Med 1984; 16: 139-146
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 23 Schinkel-Ivy A, Nairn BC, Drake JD. Investigation of trunk muscle co-contraction and its association with low back pain development during prolonged sitting. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2013; 23: 778-786
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 24 Tsao H, Hodges PW. Persistence of improvements in postural strategies following motor control training in people with recurrent low back pain. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2008; 18: 559-567
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 25 Vera-Garcia FJ, Moreside JM, McGill SM. MVC techniques to normalize trunk muscle EMG in healthy women. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2010; 20: 10-16
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 26 Vincent WJ. Statistics in kinesiology. Champain IL: Human Kinetics; 2004
    Search in Google Scholar