J Korean Phys Ther.  2020 Apr;32(2):94-100. 10.18857/jkpt.2020.32.2.94.

Effects of the Abdominal Hollowing Technique Applied during Plank Exercises at Different Angles between Ground and the Humerus on Abdominal Stabilization Muscle Activity

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Sciences, Graduated School, Catholic University of Pusan, Busan, Korea
  • 2Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Sciences, Catholic University of Pusan, Busan, Korea

Abstract

Purpose
This study examined the effects of the abdominal hollowing technique applied during plank exercises at different shoulder angles between the ground and the humerus on the abdominal muscle activity
Methods
The subjects were 36 male volunteers. They were randomized to perform plank exercises or plank exercises using the hollowing technique at 80°, 90°, 100°, and 110° between the ground and the humerus. The abdominis muscles were measured using a surface electromyogram. Independent t-tests examined the changes in the activity of these muscles according to the two exercise methods at each angle. The changes in muscle activity were examined according to the selected angles by one-way analysis of variance.
Results
The activity of abdominal muscles was investigated according to the angle between the ground and the humerus during the plank exercise. As a result, the muscle activity increased significantly with decreasing angle in the rectus abdominis, external oblique, and internal oblique·transverse abdominis muscles (p<0.05). In terms of the changes in abdominal muscle activity after hollowing plank exercises at the given angles between the ground and the humerus, an increase in angle resulted in a statistically significant increase in the rectus abdominis muscle activity (p<0.05). The activities of the rectus abdominis, external oblique, and internal oblique/transverse abdominis muscles after hollowing plank exercises showed statistically significant increases (p<0.05) compared to those after plank exercises.
Conclusion
The hollowing technique and the increase in the angle between the ground and the humerus may be an effective exercise method for increasing the muscle activity of the abdominis muscles.

Keyword

Plank; Hollowing; Angle between the ground and the humerus; Muscle activity
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