title: Effect of neck flexion restriction on sternocleidomastoid and abdominal muscle activity during curl-up exercises.
abstract: [Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of neck flexion restriction on sternocleidomastoid (SCM), rectus abdominis (RA), and external oblique (EO) muscle activity during a traditional curl-up exercise and a curl-up with neck flexion restriction. [Subjects] In total, 13 healthy male subjects volunteered for this study. [Methods] All subjects performed a traditional curl-up exercise and a curl-up exercise in which neck flexion was restricted by the subject's hand. Surface electromyography (EMG) signals were recorded from the SCM, RA, and EO during the curl-up. [Results] There was significantly lower EMG activity of the SCM during the curl-up exercise with neck flexion restriction compared to the traditional curl-up exercise. Conversely, the activity of the RA and EO muscles was significantly higher in the curl-up exercise with neck flexion restriction than in the traditional curl-up exercise. [Conclusion] Neck flexion restriction is recommended to prevent excessive activation of superficial cervical flexors during the curl-up exercise.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Science, Graduate School, Inje University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Dong-Kyu
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Gimhae College, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Dong-Chul
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, Kaya University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ki-Hoon
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Hong
keywords: Abdominal muscle; Curl-up exercise; Neck flexion restriction