Symmetry of muscle activity during abdominal exercises

In this study, the symmetry of EMG activity of right and left parts of rectus abdominis, erector spinae, rectus femoris has been tested during isometric exercises. Subjects (N = 3) were selected from the university population. In each of nine isometric exercises, the position of lower and upper extremities is different in relation to the upper body. Electromyographic signals were recorded from left and right parts of selected muscles at 1000 Hz sampling frequency. Differences in EMG activity between specific exercises for left and right parts of each muscle were tested for significance with a one-way ANOVA. It was concluded that EMG activity of left and right sides of rectus abdominis and rectus femoris does not differ significantly; nevertheless statistically important differences were noticed between left and right sides of erector spine. These findings provide more detailed knowledge and understanding of different forms of abdominal exercises.