<p>Background and purpose: Volleyball requires a lot of the human body, and</p><p>effective core stability is necessary for the athlete. Our muscles cooperate as a</p><p>chain of motions and core stabilization is the base for the moving muscles.</p><p>The most well-known stabilization muscle is m.transversus abdominis (TrA).</p><p>The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the function of TrA in</p><p>Swedish female elite volleyball players and to observe the influence of eight</p><p>weeks of stabilization exercise on the TrA. Method: 10 female elite</p><p>volleyball players (mean age 24,7 years, range 18-31 years) participated in</p><p>the study. TrA was measured in supine position with a pressure biofeedback</p><p>unit. Subjects were instructed to draw in the abdominal wall without moving</p><p>the pelvis and hold for 10 seconds. After eight weeks of stabilization exercise</p><p>the same test was repeated. Results: 40 % of the subjects had an insufficient</p><p>function of TrA in the initial test. In the second test 78 % had improved their</p><p>results. Conclusion: Stabilization exercise improves the function of TrA and</p><p>should be included in elite practise.</p>

Background and purpose: Volleyball requires a lot of the human body, and effective core stability is necessary for the athlete. Our muscles cooperate as a chain of motions and core stabilization is the base for the moving muscles. The most well-known stabilization muscle is m.transversus abdominis (TrA). The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the function of TrA in Swedish female elite volleyball players and to observe the influence of eight weeks of stabilization exercise on the TrA. Method: 10 female elite volleyball players (mean age 24,7 years, range 18-31 years) participated in the study. TrA was measured in supine position with a pressure biofeedback unit. Subjects were instructed to draw in the abdominal wall without moving the pelvis and hold for 10 seconds. After eight weeks of stabilization exercise the same test was repeated. Results: 40 % of the subjects had an insufficient function of TrA in the initial test. In the second test 78 % had improved their results. Conclusion: Stabilization exercise improves the function of TrA and should be included in elite practise.

Title: The Effect of Flowin Intervention Programme on Core Objectives: The aim of this work was to verify the validity of field testing HSS focusing on M. transversus abdominis and evaluate short-term intervention program Flowin to strengthen the CORE group floorball players. Methods: The research group (n = 13) consisting of junior elite floorball players were randomly divided into experimental (N = 7) and control (N = 6) group. The experimental group underwent a 10-week program Flowin aimed at strengthening CORE. The control group continued normal training. The level of engagement CORE was assessed by modified Bunkie test. This is a test in three positions with the aim to maintain the line shoulder-hip-ankle for 30 s. Objectivization was based on video and evaluation path node. To verify the validity testing CORE was selected from a physiotherapist. The four parameters determining the state of the deep stabilizing muscles evaluated on a scale of 1 to 5. It was chosen testing before and after the intervention program. Results: Demonstrated no relationship trajectory node with the evaluation of physiotherapists (R = 0.105). Was no evidence of effectiveness of the intervention program Flowin (average total trajectory in the second measurement was performed in the experimental group: 0.16 ± 0.14 m,...

Bakgrund: Ospecifik ländryggssmärta är en av de vanligaste orsakerna till att man söker hjälp inom primärvården. För långvarig, ospecifik ländryggssmärta är träning ett förstahandsval och fokus har under det senaste årtiondet legat på bålstabiliserande träning. Psykosociala faktorer som self-efficacy och rörelserädsla kan vara viktiga att beakta vid behandlingen då de spelar en roll i hur ländryggssmärtan utvecklas. Syfte: Att undersöka hur skattad smärta, self-efficacy och rörelserädsla samt funktionsnivå förändrades hos enskilda patienter med långvarig, ospecifik ländryggssmärta under och efter en intervention i grupp med bålstabiliserande träning. Metod: Designen var en A-B-A single-subject design (SSED). Smärtnivå, self-efficacy och rörelserädsla mättes med självskattningsformulär en gång per vecka under fas A-B-A och funktionsnivå före och efter avslutad intervention. Interventionen pågick under åtta veckor, en gång per vecka. Data presenterades visuellt och analys gjordes även av statistisk (2-SD band metod) och klinisk signifikans. Resultat: Analysen visade att skattad smärta, self-efficacy, rörelserädsla och funktionsnivå förändrades i positiv riktning hos flera patienter. Statistisk och klinisk signifikans varierade. Slutsats: Graderad bålstabiliserande träning i grupp under handledning av sjukgymnast verkar för flera av deltagarna ha en positiv effekt på såväl smärtnivå, self-efficacy, rörelserädsla som funktionsnivå. Eftersom SSED har en begränsad generaliserbarhet bör resultaten replikeras i ytterligare studier. / Background: Non-specific low back pain is one of the most common reasons for seeking help in primary care. For chronic, non-specific low back pain exercise rehabilitation is a first choice and focus in the last decade has been on motor control exercises. Psychosocial factors such as self-efficacy and fear of movement may be important to consider in the treatment as they play a role in how low back pain develops. Aim: To investigate how rated pain, self-efficacy and fear of movement as well as level of function changed in individual patients with chronic, nonspecific low back pain during and after an intervention group with motor control exercises. Method: The design was an A-B-A single-subject design (SSED). Pain level, self-efficacy and fear of movement were measured by self-assessment questionnaires once a week during phase A-B-A and level of function before and after the intervention. The intervention lasted for eight weeks, once a week. Data were presented visually and analysis was done to prove statistical (2-SD band method) and clinical significance. Results: The analysis showed that rated pain, self-efficacy, fear of movement and level of function changed in a positive direction for several of the patients. Statistical and clinical significance varied. Conclusion: Graded motor control exercises in a group under the supervision of a physiotherapist seem to have a positive effect for several of the participants with regards to level of pain, self-efficacy, fear of movement as well as level of function. Since SSED has a limited generalizability, results should be replicated in further studies.

<p>Aim</p><p>The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity recorded with electromyography (EMG) fine-wire electrodes, in transversus abdominis (TrA) and rectus abdominis (RA) while performing various stabilization exercises, and to investigate how the level of activation was affected by specific instructions</p><p>Method</p><p>Ten physically active women (27.1 ± 5.5year, 1.74 ± 0.05 m, 67.1 ± 8.6 kg) performed six different stabilization exercises (four lying supine with bent knees and hips and two in four point kneeling). They performed two sets of exercises, the first without and the second with specific instructions. The specific instruction was “abdominal hollowing to activate” TrA. The fine-wire electrodes were inserted bilateral into TrA and RA with an injection needle with guidance from an ultrasound. EMG was recorded during the middle second (while the subjects were asked to withhold the final position) and data was normalized to maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and value at rest.</p><p>Results</p><p>The effects from instructions were significant while looking upon muscle and exercise (p<0,05). All exercises but exercise number 4 (unilateral bridgening) were significant effected by instructions in TrA, but none of the exercises were effected in RA (p>0,05). The mean of the activity in TrA varied without instructions between 2,9% (± 4,4) to 39,5 % (± 20,0) and with instructions 15,2 % (± 14,7) to 45,6 % (± 23,5). In RA the mean of the activity varied without instructions between 0,3% (± 0,8) to 9,8 % (± 27,4) and with instructions between 2.4 % (± 2,9) to 11,3% (± 28,5).</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>It is possible to selectively increase the activity in TrA in the majority of selected stabilization exercises with supine position with bent knees and hips, and in four point kneeling.</p> / <p>Syfte</p><p>Syftet med denna studie var att med intramuskulär elektromyografi utvärdera aktiveringsgraden i transversus abdominis (TrA) och rectus abdominis (RA) vid utförandet av olika stabiliseringsövningar samt att undersöka hur graden av aktivering påverkas av specifika instruktioner.</p><p>Metod: Tio kvinnliga, fysiskt aktiva personer (27.1 ± 5.5 år, 1.74 ± 0.05 m, 67.1 ± 8.6 kg) fick utföra sex olika stabiliseringsövningar (fyra i ryggliggande och två i knäfyrfota) med tre repetitioner på varje övning. Försökspersonen (fp) fick utföra övningarna i två omgångar. Omgång ett utan och omgång två med specifik instruktion, den specifika instruktionen var; ”dra in den nedre delen av magen, den under naveln” (abdominal hollowing) för att aktivera Tr A. Intramuskulära trådelektroder fördes in bilateralt i TrA och RA med hjälp av en injektionsnål under guidning av ultraljud. Elektromyografi (EMG) mättes under den mittersta sekunden av övningen (i kvarhållen slutposition) och normaliserades mot maximal viljemässig kontraktion (MVC) och vilovärde.</p><p>Resultat: Effekten av instruktion var signifikant i betraktandet av muskel och övning (p<0,05). I samtliga övningar utom övning 4 (unilateralt bäckenlyft) påverkade instruktioner signifikant muskelaktiviteten i TrA (p<0,05), men inte i någon av övningarna i RA (p>0,05).</p><p>Medelvärdet av den normaliserade EMG-aktiviteten i TrA varierade i övning 1 till 6 utan instruktioner mellan 2,9 % (± 4,4) och 39,5 % (± 20,0). Med instruktion varierade den procentuella aktiviteten i TrA mellan 15,2 % (± 14,7) och 45,6 % (± 23,5). I RA varierade medelvärdet utan instruktioner mellan 0,3% (± 0,8) till 9.8 % (± 27,4) och med instruktioner 2.4 % (± 2,9) till 11,3% (± 28.5).</p><p>Slutsats; Det går att med hjälp av instruktioner selektivt öka aktiveringsgraden i TrA i majoriteten av valda stabiliseringsövningar i krokligg och knäfyrfota.</p>

Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity recorded with electromyography (EMG) fine-wire electrodes, in transversus abdominis (TrA) and rectus abdominis (RA) while performing various stabilization exercises, and to investigate how the level of activation was affected by specific instructions Method Ten physically active women (27.1 ± 5.5year, 1.74 ± 0.05 m, 67.1 ± 8.6 kg) performed six different stabilization exercises (four lying supine with bent knees and hips and two in four point kneeling). They performed two sets of exercises, the first without and the second with specific instructions. The specific instruction was “abdominal hollowing to activate” TrA. The fine-wire electrodes were inserted bilateral into TrA and RA with an injection needle with guidance from an ultrasound. EMG was recorded during the middle second (while the subjects were asked to withhold the final position) and data was normalized to maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and value at rest. Results The effects from instructions were significant while looking upon muscle and exercise (p&lt;0,05). All exercises but exercise number 4 (unilateral bridgening) were significant effected by instructions in TrA, but none of the exercises were effected in RA (p&gt;0,05). The mean of the activity in TrA varied without instructions between 2,9% (± 4,4) to 39,5 % (± 20,0) and with instructions 15,2 % (± 14,7) to 45,6 % (± 23,5). In RA the mean of the activity varied without instructions between 0,3% (± 0,8) to 9,8 % (± 27,4) and with instructions between 2.4 % (± 2,9) to 11,3% (± 28,5). Conclusion It is possible to selectively increase the activity in TrA in the majority of selected stabilization exercises with supine position with bent knees and hips, and in four point kneeling. / Syfte Syftet med denna studie var att med intramuskulär elektromyografi utvärdera aktiveringsgraden i transversus abdominis (TrA) och rectus abdominis (RA) vid utförandet av olika stabiliseringsövningar samt att undersöka hur graden av aktivering påverkas av specifika instruktioner. Metod: Tio kvinnliga, fysiskt aktiva personer (27.1 ± 5.5 år, 1.74 ± 0.05 m, 67.1 ± 8.6 kg) fick utföra sex olika stabiliseringsövningar (fyra i ryggliggande och två i knäfyrfota) med tre repetitioner på varje övning. Försökspersonen (fp) fick utföra övningarna i två omgångar. Omgång ett utan och omgång två med specifik instruktion, den specifika instruktionen var; ”dra in den nedre delen av magen, den under naveln” (abdominal hollowing) för att aktivera Tr A. Intramuskulära trådelektroder fördes in bilateralt i TrA och RA med hjälp av en injektionsnål under guidning av ultraljud. Elektromyografi (EMG) mättes under den mittersta sekunden av övningen (i kvarhållen slutposition) och normaliserades mot maximal viljemässig kontraktion (MVC) och vilovärde. Resultat: Effekten av instruktion var signifikant i betraktandet av muskel och övning (p&lt;0,05). I samtliga övningar utom övning 4 (unilateralt bäckenlyft) påverkade instruktioner signifikant muskelaktiviteten i TrA (p&lt;0,05), men inte i någon av övningarna i RA (p&gt;0,05). Medelvärdet av den normaliserade EMG-aktiviteten i TrA varierade i övning 1 till 6 utan instruktioner mellan 2,9 % (± 4,4) och 39,5 % (± 20,0). Med instruktion varierade den procentuella aktiviteten i TrA mellan 15,2 % (± 14,7) och 45,6 % (± 23,5). I RA varierade medelvärdet utan instruktioner mellan 0,3% (± 0,8) till 9.8 % (± 27,4) och med instruktioner 2.4 % (± 2,9) till 11,3% (± 28.5). Slutsats; Det går att med hjälp av instruktioner selektivt öka aktiveringsgraden i TrA i majoriteten av valda stabiliseringsövningar i krokligg och knäfyrfota.

All trunk muscles are important contributors to spine stability. However, the deepest abdominal muscle, transversus abdominis (TrA), with its characteristically horizontal fibre orientation seems to serve a unique function in trunk motor control. The main mechanical role of TrA is believed to be to contribute to vertebral alignment during imposed moments on the trunk, executed mainly via either regulating the pressure level within the abdominal cavity and/or transmit forces to the spine via the thoracolumbar fascia. However, the complete function of TrA and what factors affect its activation are still not fully understood. The purpose of the present thesis was to investigate the role of TrA in trunk motor control, specifically in relation to the presence or absence of postural demand on the trunk. The timing and magnitude of TrA activation were investigated, in relation to other trunk muscles, with intramuscular fine-wire electrodes in different loading situations and body positions with varying postural demand. In a side-lying position, with no postural demand of keeping the trunk upright, the activation of TrA was delayed relative the superficial abdominal muscles compared to previous experiments performed in a standing position. The timing and magnitude of activation of TrA did not depend upon the direction of perturbation. In the standing position, different static arm positions revealed that the activation of TrA co-varied with variations in the degree of postural demand on the trunk and also the imposed moments, regardless of moment direction. Finally, a study on rapid arm flexion movements confirmed that TrA is part of the pre-programmed anticipatory response in advance of known perturbations. The activation magnitude of TrA was the same regardless if the arm movement induced flexion or extension  moments on the trunk. In conclusion, the activation of TrA is associated with the upright postural demand on the trunk and with balancing imposed moments acting on the spine, regardless their direction. The findings are in support of the beliefs that TrA act as a general, direction non specific, stabilizer of the lumbar spine.

Introduction : L’évaluation clinique du contrôle neuromusculaire des muscles du tronc est criante en réhabilitation et en entraînement. L’objectif principal de cette étude a été d’évaluer la reproductibilité intra et inter-évaluateur d’un test clinique le soulèvement actif de la jambe tendue (SAJT) chez une population active et saine. Méthode : Chaque sujet (18 joueurs de tennis) a été testé à deux reprises par 2 physiothérapeutes avec le SAJT. Résultats : La reproductibilité intra-évaluateur s’est avérée élevée à très élevée (ICC = 0.81 à 0.93) tandis la reproductibilité inter-évaluateur s’est avérée cliniquement non viable. Conclusion : À notre connaissance, le SAJT est le premier test clinique reproductible évaluant le contrôle neuromusculaire du tronc avec des compensations musculaires et cinétiques chez des sujets actifs et sains. Une formation plus importante des évaluateurs aurait certainement amélioré la reproductibilité inter-évaluateur. / Introduction: The clinical assessment of the trunk muscles neuromuscular control is lacking in rehabilitation and in conditioning. The main goal of this study was to assess the intra and inter-rater reliability of a clinical test, the active straight leg raise (ASLR), on an active and healthy population. Method: Each subject (18 tennis players) was tested twice by 2 physiotherapists with the ASLR. Results: The intra-rater reliability turned out to be high to very high (ICC = 0.81 à 0.93) while the inter-rater reliability came out clinically unsustainable. Conclusion: To our knowledge, the ASLR is the first reliable clinical test to assess the core neuromuscular control based on muscular and kinetic compensation observations with active and healthy subjects. A more exhaustive training of the assessors would definitely improve the inter-rater reliability.

Introduction : L’évaluation clinique du contrôle neuromusculaire des muscles du tronc est criante en réhabilitation et en entraînement. L’objectif principal de cette étude a été d’évaluer la reproductibilité intra et inter-évaluateur d’un test clinique le soulèvement actif de la jambe tendue (SAJT) chez une population active et saine. Méthode : Chaque sujet (18 joueurs de tennis) a été testé à deux reprises par 2 physiothérapeutes avec le SAJT. Résultats : La reproductibilité intra-évaluateur s’est avérée élevée à très élevée (ICC = 0.81 à 0.93) tandis la reproductibilité inter-évaluateur s’est avérée cliniquement non viable. Conclusion : À notre connaissance, le SAJT est le premier test clinique reproductible évaluant le contrôle neuromusculaire du tronc avec des compensations musculaires et cinétiques chez des sujets actifs et sains. Une formation plus importante des évaluateurs aurait certainement amélioré la reproductibilité inter-évaluateur. / Introduction: The clinical assessment of the trunk muscles neuromuscular control is lacking in rehabilitation and in conditioning. The main goal of this study was to assess the intra and inter-rater reliability of a clinical test, the active straight leg raise (ASLR), on an active and healthy population. Method: Each subject (18 tennis players) was tested twice by 2 physiotherapists with the ASLR. Results: The intra-rater reliability turned out to be high to very high (ICC = 0.81 à 0.93) while the inter-rater reliability came out clinically unsustainable. Conclusion: To our knowledge, the ASLR is the first reliable clinical test to assess the core neuromuscular control based on muscular and kinetic compensation observations with active and healthy subjects. A more exhaustive training of the assessors would definitely improve the inter-rater reliability.