Abdominal muscle activation: an EMG study of the  Sahrmann five-level core stability test

Ebby Waqqash Mohamad Chan

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Type :	article
Subject :	GV Recreation Leisure
Main Author :	Ebby Waqqash Mohamad Chan
Additional Authors :	Mohamad Shariff A. Hamid Ali Md. Nadzalan Eliza Hafiz
Title :	Abdominal muscle activation: an EMG study of the Sahrmann five-level core stability test

Place of Production :	Tanjong Malim
Publisher :	Fakulti Sains Sukan dan Kejurulatihan
Year of Publication :	2020
Corporate Name :	Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris

Abstract : Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris

Background: Sahrmann ¯ve-level core stability test protocol has been used to evaluate the ability of the core muscles to stabilize the spine. However, validation studies on the Sahrmann protocol are limited. Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the di®erent levels of Sahrmann ¯ve-level core stability (levels 1–5) on the muscle activity of rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), and transverse abdominis/internal oblique (TrA/IO). Methods: Twenty-two asymptomatic male participants aged 21.36 1.59 years were recruited. Participants were instructed to perform maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) and ¯ve levels of Sahrmann ¯ve-level core stability test guided with a pressure biofeedback unit (PBU). The surface electromyography (EMG) data of each muscle during ¯ve levels of Sahrmann ¯ve-level core stability test were normalized as a percentage of MVC. Results: Results showed signi¯cant di®erences in the normalized EMGs of RA [2(4) = 64.80, p < 0.001], EO [2(4) = 58.11, p < 0.001], and TrA/IO [2(4) = 56.00, p < 0.001] between the ¯ve levels of Sahrmann ¯ve-level core stability test. Post-hoc analysis revealed Sahrmann levels 5 and 3 have signi¯cantly higher abdominal EMG signals than levels 4, 2, and 1 (p < 0.001).

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