Comparison of Abdominal Muscle Activity during Exercises Using a Sling and Swiss-ball

Purpose: Spinal instability due to weakness of abdominal muscles is one of the major causes that induces low back pain (LBP). The purpose of this study was to investigate any differences in abdominal muscle activity during curl up, roll out, and jack knife exercises using a swiss-ball or sling. Methods: Twenty healthy subjects were randomly assigned into either a swiss-ball exercise group (SBEG) or a sling exercise group (SEG). Subjects performed curl up, roll out and jack knife exercises using the swiss ball or sling. Activity of abdominal muscles (rectus abdominis and external oblique muscle) was assessed using surface EMG and normalized maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC). The significance of differences between the sling exercise group and the swiss-ball exercise group was evaluated by the independent t-test. Results: These Results indicated that activities of rectus abdominis on right and left of the SEG during the curl up exercise were significantly greater than the SBEG. During the roll out exercise, activity of the abdominal muscle was not significantly different between the SEG and SBEG. In addition, during the jack knife exercise, activities of the right rectus abdominis and left external oblique muscle in the SEG were significantly greater than the SBEG. Conclusion: In conclusion, activity of the abdominal muscles was maximized when curl up and jack knife exercise were performed using the sling rather than the swiss-ball. Therefore, if increased activation of the abdominal muscle is the goal of an exercise program, curl up and jack knife exercises may be useful.