title: Slow expiration reduces sternocleidomastoid activity and increases transversus abdominis and internal oblique muscle activity during abdominal curl-up.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of quiet inspiration versus slow expiration on sternocleidomastoid (SCM) and abdominal muscle activity during abdominal curl-up in healthy subjects. Twelve healthy subjects participated in this study. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to collect activity of bilateral SCM, rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), and transversus abdominis/internal oblique (TrA/IO) muscles. A paired t-test was used to determine significant differences in the bilateral SCM, RF, EO, and TrA/IO muscles between abdominal curl-up with quiet inspiration and slow expiration. There were significantly lower EMG activity of both SCMs and greater EMG activity of both IOs during abdominal curl-up with slow expiration, compared with the EMG activity of both SCMs and IOs during abdominal curl-up with quiet inspiration (p<.05). The results of this study suggest that slow expiration would be recommended during abdominal curl-up for reduced SCM activation and selective activation of TrA/IO in healthy subjects compared with those in abdominal curl up with quiet inspiration.
authors.affiliation: Hoseo-ro 79gil, Baebang-eup, Asan-si, Chungnam 336-795, South Korea.
authors.forename: Tae-Lim
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.affiliation: Hoseo-ro 79gil, Baebang-eup, Asan-si, Chungnam 336-795, South Korea. Electronic address: kskim68@hoseo.edu.
authors.forename: Ki-Song
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Hoseo-ro 79gil, Baebang-eup, Asan-si, Chungnam 336-795, South Korea.
authors.forename: Heon-Seock
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Cynn
mesh_terms: D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000502:physiology; D000328:Adult; D004576:Electromyography / Q000379:methods*; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D017568:Rectus Abdominis / Q000502:physiology; D012119:Respiration; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Breathing pattern; EMG; Stabilization exercise