Comparison of Muscle Activation and Co-Contraction Patterns for Trunk Muscles During Four-Point Hand-Knee and Hand-Foot Kneeling Positions
10.16156/j.1004-7220.2022.02.25
- VernacularTitle:四点跪位和手足位训练中躯干肌肉激活和共收缩模式比较
- Author:
Xiaoqian CHANG
1
;
Kuan WANG
2
;
Xinpeng CHEN
2
;
Lejun WANG
3
;
Wenxin NIU
2
Author Information
1. Laboratory of Rehabilitation Engineering and Biomechanics, School of Medicine, Tongji University
2. Yangzhi Rehabilitation Hospital, Tongji University
3. Sport and Health Research Center, Department of Physical Education, Tongji University
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
four-point kneeling position;
surface electromyography (sEMG);
co-contraction index;
core stabilization exercises
- From:
Journal of Medical Biomechanics
2022;37(2):E348-E354
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To analyze the similarities and differences between four-point hand-knee position and hand-foot kneeling positions in trunk muscle activation and co-contraction, explore the possibility of hand-foot kneeling position as core stabilization exercises, so as to provide suggestions for actual training.Methods Nineteen healthy volunteers randomly performed exercises of four-point hand-knee position (4 motions) and hand-foot kneeling position (3 motions), while surface electromyography (sEMG) signals were collected from bilateral rectus abdominis, external oblique, erector spine, and multifidus muscles. The average sEMG and muscle co-contraction index (CCI) based on the sEMG signals were analyzed and compared.Results Significant differences were found in the sEMG and CCI within and between the two positions. Under four-point hand-knee position with the right hand and left leg lifting, the activation of all muscles was higher than that in the starting position. In four-point hand-knee position with the left leg lifting, the activation of ipsilateral multifidus muscle was significantly higher than that in hand-foot kneeling position. The activation degree of external oblique muscle and rectus abdominis was higher in hand-foot kneeling position with right hand lifting. A total of 28 muscle matching methods were obtained by pair-to-pair matching of 8 muscles. The starting posture in four-point hand-knee position fluctuated the least, indicating that the spine was the most stable, while the index of other exercises fluctuated in a larger range.Conclusions The possibility of hand-foot kneeling position as core stabilization exercises was proved from two aspects, namely, muscle activation and CCI. The hand-foot kneeling position and four-point hand-knee position can be used for strengthening abdominal muscles and back muscles, respectively. The four-point hand-knee position with contralateral upper and lower limbs lift is a more advanced exercise for trunk muscles, but sports injuries should be avoided.
