Influence of Abdominal Hollowing Maneuver on the Core Musculature Activation during the Prone Plank Exercise

Miguel García-Jaén, Juan Manuel Cortell-Tormo, Sergio Hernández-Sánchez and Juan Tortosa-Martínez
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Miguel García-Jaén: Area of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Education, University of Alicante, 03690 San Vicente del Raspeig, Spain
Juan Manuel Cortell-Tormo: Area of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Education, University of Alicante, 03690 San Vicente del Raspeig, Spain
Sergio Hernández-Sánchez: Translational Research Center of Physiotherapy, Physiotherapy Area, Miguel Hernández University, 03550 Sant Joan d’Alacant, Spain
Juan Tortosa-Martínez: Area of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Education, University of Alicante, 03690 San Vicente del Raspeig, Spain

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 20, 1-15

Abstract: This cross-sectional study of repeated measures investigated whether integrating the abdominal hollowing maneuver (AHM) into the prone plank performance is an effective strategy for increasing both the activation of the deep and superficial core musculature. Electromyographical (EMG) responses of rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO), and lumbar erector spinae (LES), and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) of 20 participants (13 male, 7 female; mean ± standard deviation (SD) age: 24.25 ± 3.54 years; body mass: 66.42 ± 8.40 kg; height: 1.70 ± 9.51 m) were compared across two experimental conditions: the traditional prone plank (STANDARD); and a variation including the AHM (HOLLOWING). Regarding Total Intensity, HOLLOWING resulted in significantly greater EMG response than STANDARD ( p < 0.001; Effect size (ES) = 3.01). Specifically, RA showed no significant differences between STANDARD and HOLLOWING ( p = 0.056; ES = 0.285). However, for the remaining analyzed muscles, HOLLOWING significantly provided higher EMG activation compared to STANDARD (LES: p = 0.004; ES = 0.619; left EO: p < 0.001; ES = 1.031; right EO: p < 0.001; ES = 1.419; left IO: p < 0.001; ES = 2.021; right IO: p < 0.001; ES = 2.269). Regarding RPE, HOLLOWING reported values significantly greater than STANDARD ( p < 0.001; ES = 2.94). In conclusion, integrating the AHM into the prone plank exercise enhances overall abdominal activity, particularly in both obliques. These findings provide updated guidelines for lumbar stabilization and core strengthening in health-related physical fitness programs.

Keywords: core training; lumbar stabilization; bridging exercises; electromyography; physical therapy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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