Electromyographic effect of using different attentional foci during the front plank exercise

Joaquin Calatayud, Jose Casaña, Fernando Martín, Markus D. Jakobsen, Lars L. Andersen, Juan C Colado

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)
397 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Objective The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine whether an internal focus on different core muscles during the isometric prone plank exercise increased muscle activity. Design Twenty university students performed the following five different conditions: regular prone plank (external focus) and prone plank with an internal focus on different muscles. Surface electromyography signals were recorded for the upper rectus abdominis, lower rectus abdominis, external oblique, and lumbar erector spinae. Results For the upper rectus abdominis, an internal focus on using any muscle increased activity. For the lower rectus abdominis, internal focus on any muscle except the lumbar erector spinae increased activity. No changes were found for external oblique and lumbar erector spinae activity. Conclusions Upper rectus abdominis and lower rectus abdominis activities increased during an internal focus on the abdominal muscles. external oblique and lumbar erector spinae activities were nonaffected by an internal focus on any muscle.

Original languageEnglish
JournalAmerican Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume98
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)26-29
Number of pages4
ISSN0894-9115
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2019

Keywords

  • bridging
  • core
  • focus
  • low back
  • mind muscle
  • trunk

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