title: Effects of neuromuscular joint facilitation on bridging exercises with respect to deep muscle changes.
abstract: [Purpose] This study examined the effects of neuromuscular joint facilitation on bridging exercises by assessing the cross-sectional area of the multifidus muscle and thickness of the musculus transversus abdominis. [Subjects] Twelve healthy men. [Methods] Four exercises were evaluated: (a) supine resting, (b) bridging resistance exercise involving posterior pelvic tilting, (c) bridging resistance exercise involving anterior pelvic tilting, and (d) bridging resistance exercise involving neuromuscular joint facilitation. The cross-sectional area of the multifidus muscle and thickness of the musculus transversus abdominis were measured during each exercise. [Results] The cross-sectional area of the multifidus muscle and thickness of the musculus transversus abdominis were significantly greater in the neuromuscular joint facilitation group than the others. [Conclusion] Neuromuscular joint facilitation intervention improves the function of deep muscles such as the multifidus muscle and musculus transversus abdominis. Therefore, it can be recommended for application in clinical treatments such as that for back pain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, International University of Health and Welfare, Japan ; Department of Physical Therapy, China Rehabilitation Research Center, China ; School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Capital Medical University, China.
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, International University of Health and Welfare, Japan ; Department of Physical Therapy, China Rehabilitation Research Center, China ; School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Capital Medical University, China.
authors.forename: QiuChen
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, International University of Health and Welfare, Japan ; Department of Physical Therapy, China Rehabilitation Research Center, China ; School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Capital Medical University, China.
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Himeji Dokkyo University, Japan.
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Huo
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, International University of Health and Welfare, Japan.
authors.forename: Hitoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Maruyama
keywords: Back pain; Bridging exercises; Cross-sectional area of multifidus muscle