Abstract
Grenier SG, McGill SM. Quantification of lumbar stability by using 2 different abdominal
activation strategies.
Objective
To determine whether the abdominal hollowing technique is more effective for lumbar
spine stabilization than a full abdominal muscle cocontraction.
Design
Within-subject, repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to examine the effect
of combining each of 4 loading conditions with either the hollow or brace condition
on the dependent variables of stability and compression. A simulation was also conducted
to assess the outcome of a person activating just the transversus abdominis during
the hollow.
Setting
Laboratory.
Participants
Eight healthy men (age range, 20−33y).
Interventions
Electromyography and spine kinematics were recorded during an abdominal brace and
a hollow while supporting either a bilateral or asymmetric weight in the hands.
Main Outcome Measures
Spine stability index and lumbar compression were calculated.
Results
In the simulation “ideal case,” the brace technique improved stability by 32%, with
a 15% increase in lumbar compression. The transversus abdominis contributed .14% of
stability to the brace pattern with a less than 0.1% decrease in compression.
Conclusions
Whatever the benefit underlying low-load transversus abdominis activation training,
it is unlikely to be mechanical. There seems to be no mechanical rationale for using
an abdominal hollow, or the transversus abdominis, to enhance stability. Bracing creates
patterns that better enhance stability.
Key Words
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Article info
Footnotes
Supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (grant no. RGPIN36516-98).
No commercial party having a direct financial interest in the results of the research supporting this article has or will confer a benefit upon the author(s) or upon any organization with which the author(s) is/are associated.
Identification
Copyright
© 2007 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
