title: Electromyographic and kinetic analysis of two abdominal muscle performance tests.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In order to accurately assess the abdominal muscles, clinicians need valid clinical measures. The double leg lowering test (DLLT) and lower abdominal muscle progression (LAMP) are two common tests of abdominal muscle performance. The purposes of this study were to determine the relation between surface electromyographic (EMG) activity during the DLLT and LAMP levels; hip joint resultant moments and DLLT and LAMP levels; and the two measures of DLLT and LAMP.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten healthy participants were tested under both conditions. Surface EMG activity of the abdominal muscles was obtained, while pelvic movement was detected simultaneously.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A moderate to strong association was found between rectus abdominus muscle activity and a moderate association with the external obliques with both test levels. For the internal oblique/transversus abdominus, a moderate and weak association was found with the DLLT and LAMP, respectively. A very strong association existed between the hip resultant joint moments (RJM) and the DLLT, while there was a weak correlation between hip RJM and the LAMP. No significant correlation was found between the DLLT and LAMP grades.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This finding suggests that these tests may measure different qualities of muscle performance and provides preliminary support for their use. Further evaluation of these assessments with clinical populations is necessary.
authors.affiliation: a School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences, University of South Florida , Tampa , FL , USA .
authors.forename: Douglas E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Haladay
authors.affiliation: b Department of Kinesiology , University of Connecticut , Storrs , CT , USA , and.
authors.forename: Craig R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Denegar
authors.affiliation: c Department of Kinesiology , Pennsylvania State University, University Park , PA , USA.
authors.forename: Sayers J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.affiliation: c Department of Kinesiology , Pennsylvania State University, University Park , PA , USA.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Challis
mesh_terms: D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology*; D000200:Action Potentials; D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength; D011187:Posture; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Abdominal muscle performance; low back pain; rehabilitation