Electromyographic Activity of the Transversus Abdominis and Erector Spinae Muscles During the Y-Balance Test

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the electromyographic activity of the transversus abdominis (TrA) and erector spinae (ES) muscles in three different directions during the Y-Balance Test (YBT), and to assess the co-activation between these muscles. A total of twenty-four participants (mean age = 22.71 ± 1.48 years) were evaluated. Electromyographic data from the TrA and ES were recorded using surface electromyography (sEMG) during the YBT. The results revealed that the mean and maximum activity of the TrA in the anterior direction, with the dominant extremity on the ground, was significantly higher (p = 0.014). Additionally, the mean activity of the TrA (p = 0.030) and both the mean (p < 0.001) and maximum (p = 0.047) activity of the ES in the posteromedial direction, with the dominant extremity on the ground, were significantly elevated. The onset times of the TrA and ES contractions were correlated in posteromedial and posterolateral directions, irrespective of extremity dominance (p<0.05). Furthermore, correlations were observed between the mean TrA activity and the onset of ES (r = 0.447, p = 0.029), as well as between the mean ES value and the onset of TrA (r = 0.430, p = 0.036), in the posteromedial direction. This study concluded that TrA activation was most pronounced in the anterior direction with the dominant extremity on the ground, whereas the highest co-activation of the TrA and ES occurred in the posteromedial direction when the non-dominant extremity was on the ground.

Zusammenfassung

Ziel dieser Studie war es, die elektromyografische Aktivität der Musculi transversus abdominis (TrA) und erector spinae (ES) in 3 verschiedenen Richtungen während des Y-Balance-Tests (YBT) zu untersuchen und die Koaktivierung zwischen diesen Muskeln zu bewerten. Es wurden insgesamt 24 Teilnehmer (Durchschnittsalter 22,71±1,48 Jahre) evaluiert. Die elektromyografischen Daten von TrA und ES wurden während des YBT mit einem Oberflächen-Elektromyografiegerät (sEMG) aufgezeichnet. Die Ergebnisse zeigten, dass die mittlere und maximale Aktivität des TrA in der anterioren Richtung mit der dominanten Extremität am Boden signifikant höher (p=0,014) war. Darüber hinaus waren die mittlere Aktivität des TrA (p=0,030) sowie sowohl die mittlere (p<0,001) als auch die maximale (p=0,047) Aktivität des ES in der posteromedialen Richtung mit der dominanten Extremität am Boden signifikant erhöht. Die Aktivierungszeiten von TrA und ES waren in den posteromedialen und posterolateralen Richtungen miteinander korreliert, unabhängig von der Dominanz der Extremität (p<0,05). Weitere Korrelationen wurden zwischen dem Mittelwert des TrA und der Einschaltzeit des ES (r=0,447; p=0,029) sowie dem Mittelwert des ES und der Einschaltzeit des TrA (r=0,430; p=0,036) in der posteromedialen Richtung beobachtet. Diese Studie kam zu dem Ergebnis, dass die TrA-Aktivierung in der anterioren Richtung mit der dominanten Extremität am Boden am stärksten war, während die höchste Koaktivierung von TrA und ES in der posteromedialen Richtung auftrat, wenn die nicht dominante Extremität am Boden war.

Keywords

dynamic balance - electromyography - transversus abdominis - erector spinae

Schlüsselwörter

dynamisches Gleichgewicht - Elektromyografie - Transversus abdominis - Erector Spinae

Publication History

Received: 17 July 2024

Accepted after revision: 16 March 2025

Article published online:
24 June 2025

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