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Core Muscle Activity during Physical Fitness Exercises: A Systematic Review

Author

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  • José M. Oliva-Lozano

    (Health Research Centre, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain)

  • José M. Muyor

    (Health Research Centre, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain
    Laboratory of Kinesiology, Biomechanics and Ergonomics (KIBIOMER Lab.), Research Central Services, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to systematically review the current literature on the electromyographic (EMG) activity of six core muscles (the rectus abdominis, the internal and external oblique, the transversus abdominis, the lumbar multifidus, and the erector spinae) during core physical fitness exercises in healthy adults. A systematic review of the literature was conducted on the Cochrane, EBSCO, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science electronic databases for studies from January 2012 to March 2020. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (a) the full text available in English; (b) a cross-sectional or longitudinal (experimental or cohorts) study design; (c) the reporting of electromyographic activity as a percentage of maximum voluntary contraction (% MVIC), millivolts or microvolts; (d) an analysis of the rectus abdominis (RA), transversus abdominis (TA), lumbar multifidus (MUL), erector spinae (ES), and the internal (IO) or external oblique (EO); (e) an analysis of physical fitness exercises for core training; and (f) healthy adult participants. The main findings indicate that the greatest activity of the RA, EO, and ES muscles was found in free-weight exercises. The greatest IO activity was observed in core stability exercises, while traditional exercises showed the greatest MUL activation. However, a lack of research regarding TA activation during core physical fitness exercises was revealed, in addition to a lack of consistency between the studies when applying methods to measure EMG activity.

Suggested Citation

  • José M. Oliva-Lozano & José M. Muyor, 2020. "Core Muscle Activity during Physical Fitness Exercises: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-42, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:12:p:4306-:d:372241
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nebojša Trajković & Špela Bogataj, 2020. "Effects of Neuromuscular Training on Motor Competence and Physical Performance in Young Female Volleyball Players," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-12, March.
    2. Garden Tabacchi & Guillermo F. Lopez Sanchez & Fatma Nese Sahin & Meltem Kizilyalli & Rosario Genchi & Michele Basile & Musa Kirkar & Carlos Silva & Nuno Loureiro & Eduardo Teixeira & Yolanda Demetrio, 2019. "Field-Based Tests for the Assessment of Physical Fitness in Children and Adolescents Practicing Sport: A Systematic Review within the ESA Program," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-21, December.
    3. David Moher & Alessandro Liberati & Jennifer Tetzlaff & Douglas G Altman & The PRISMA Group, 2009. "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(7), pages 1-6, July.
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    3. Nina Krobot Cutura & Maksimilijan Mrak & Dominik-Mate Cutura & Ivanka Petric Vickovic & Lana Ruzic, 2024. "Evaluating Intraocular Pressure Alterations during Large Muscle Group Isometric Exercises with Varying Head and Body Positions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(4), pages 1-11, April.
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    6. Miguel García-Jaén & Juan Manuel Cortell-Tormo & Sergio Hernández-Sánchez & Juan Tortosa-Martínez, 2020. "Influence of Abdominal Hollowing Maneuver on the Core Musculature Activation during the Prone Plank Exercise," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-15, October.
    7. Dana Badau & Adela Badau & Gabriel Manolache & Mircea Ion Ene & Adriana Neofit & Vlad Teodor Grosu & Virgil Tudor & Radu Sasu & Raluca Moraru & Liviu Moraru, 2021. "The Motor Impact of the Static Balance in the Up Plank Position on Three Different Balls in Physical Activities of Physical Education Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-14, February.
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