The Effects of Performing a One-legged Bridge with Hip Abduction and Unstable Surface on Trunk and Gluteal Muscle Activation in Healthy Adults

Purpose: This study investigated the influence of muscle activity of the trunk and lower limb during a bridge exercise using a unstable surface and during one-legged bridge hip abduction in healthy adults. Methods: Nineteen healthy participated in this study (12 males and 7 females, aged $29.0{\pm}5.0$). The participants were instructed to perform the bridge exercises under six different conditions. Trunk and lower limb muscle activation, such as the erector spinae (ES), gluteus maximus (GM), external oblique (EO), and internal oblique (IO), was measured using surface electromyography. The six different bridge exercise conditions were conducted randomly. Data analysis was performed by using the mean scores after three trials of each condition. Results: On the ipsilateral side, muscle activity of the IO, EO, and ES during the hip abduction condition (Single-legged hip abduction bridge, Bridge with use of a ball and single-leg hip abduction, Bridge with use of a sling and single-leg hip abduction) was significantly higher than those during Unstable surface (Bridge with use of a ball, Bridge with use of a sling) and General bridging exercise (p<0.05). In the contralateral side, activities of the GM and EO during Single-legged hip abduction bridge, Bridge with use of a ball and single-leg hip abduction and Bridge with use of a sling and single-leg hip abduction was significantly higher than that during Bridge with use of a ball, Bridge with use of a sling and General bridging exercise (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that performing a bridge exercise with use of a sling and single-leg hip abduction had an effect on trunk and gluteal muscle activation. The findings of this study suggest that this training method can be clinically effective for unilateral training and for patients with hemiplegia.