Abdominal Bracing Increases Ground Reaction Forces and Reduces Knee and Hip Flexion During Landing.
Access Status
Authors
Date
2016Type
Metadata
Show full item recordCitation
Source Title
ISSN
School
Collection
Abstract
Study Design Controlled laboratory study. Background Abdominal bracing (AB) is a widely advocated method of increasing spine stability, yet the influence of AB on the execution of sporting movements has not been quantified. Landing is a common task during sporting endeavors; therefore, investigating the effect of performing AB during a drop-landing task is relevant. Objective To quantify the effect of AB on kinematics (ankle, knee, hip, and regional lumbar spine peak flexion angles) and peak vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) during a drop-landing task. Methods Sixteen healthy adults (7 female, 9 male; mean ± SD age, 27 ± 7 years; height, 170.6 ± 8.1 cm; mass, 68.0 ± 11.3 kg) were assessed using 3-D motion analysis, electromyography (EMG), and a force platform while performing a drop-landing task with and without AB. Abdominal bracing was achieved with the assistance of real-time internal oblique EMG feedback. Lower-limb and regional lumbar spine kinematics, peak vGRF, and normalized EMG of the left and right internal obliques and lumbar multifidus were quantified. Paired-samples t tests were used to compare variables between the AB and no-AB conditions. Results Abdominal bracing resulted in significantly reduced knee and hip flexion and increased peak vGRF during landing. No differences in lumbar multifidus EMG or lumbar spine kinematics were observed. Conclusion Abdominal bracing reduces impact attenuation during landing. These altered biomechanics may have implications for lower-limb and spinal injury risk during dynamic tasks.
Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
Beales, Darren (2009)Aberrant motor control strategies have been identified in chronic pelvic girdle pain (PGP) subjects. It has been proposed that aberrant motor control strategies could provide a mechanism for ongoing pain and disability ...
-
Coenen, P.; Campbell, Amity; Kemp-Smith, K.; O'Sullivan, Peter; Straker, Leon (2017)We assessed whether participants are able to perform abdominal bracing during lifting, and described its effects on trunk muscle activity and body kinematics. Fourteen participants performed 10 lifts (symmetrical lifting ...
-
Klem, B.; Wild, C.; Williams, S.; Ng, Leo (2016)Background: Despite the high prevalence of lower extremity injuries in female basketball players as well as a high proportion of athletes who wear ankle braces, there is a paucity of research pertaining to the effects of ...