EMG Activity in the Abdominal Muscles and the Kinematics of the Lumbar Spine during Unilateral Upper-limb Resistance Exercises under Stable and Unstable Conditions

[Purpose] We investigated the effects of unstable conditions on the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the rectus abdominis (RA) and the transverse abdominis-internal oblique (TrA-IO) muscles, and lumbar kinematics during unilateral upper-limb resistance exercises using elastic tubing bands. [Subjects] Twelve healthy males were recruited. [Methods] The subjects performed isometric left shoulder abduction using an elastic tubing band in a sitting position on a chair, and on a Swiss ball. During this exercise, EMG activities of the RA and TrA-IO were recorded using a wireless EMG system, and a three-dimensional motion analysis system monitored lumbar kinematics. Differences in EMG activities of the RA and TrA-IO, the ratio of TrA-IO to RA activity, and lumbar kinematics were compared between the stable and unstable conditions using the paired t-test. [Results] Under the unstable condition, the EMG activities of both muscles were significantly greater than that under the stable condition; however the ratio of TrA-IO to RA activity did not significantly differ between the conditions. The lumbar angle significantly differed only in the coronal plane. [Conclusions] These findings indicate that trunk posture should be considered when performing exercises under unstable conditions.