Effect of neck flexion restriction on sternocleidomastoid and abdominal muscle activity during curl-up exercises

• Published in: Journal of Physical Therapy Science Vol. 28; no. 1; pp. 90 - 92
• Main Authors: Lee, Dong-Kyu, Moon, Dong-Chul, Hong, Ki-Hoon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan The Society of Physical Therapy Science 01.01.2016
• Subjects: Abdominal muscle; Curl-up exercise; Neck flexion restriction; Original; Abdominal muscle; Curl-up exercise; Neck flexion restriction
• ISSN: 0915-5287; 2187-5626
• DOI: 10.1589/jpts.28.90

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of neck flexion restriction on sternocleidomastoid (SCM), rectus abdominis (RA), and external oblique (EO) muscle activity during a traditional curl-up exercise and a curl-up with neck flexion restriction. [Subjects] In total, 13 healthy male subjects volunteered for this study. [Methods] All subjects performed a traditional curl-up exercise and a curl-up exercise in which neck flexion was restricted by the subject’s hand. Surface electromyography (EMG) signals were recorded from the SCM, RA, and EO during the curl-up. [Results] There was significantly lower EMG activity of the SCM during the curl-up exercise with neck flexion restriction compared to the traditional curl-up exercise. Conversely, the activity of the RA and EO muscles was significantly higher in the curl-up exercise with neck flexion restriction than in the traditional curl-up exercise. [Conclusion] Neck flexion restriction is recommended to prevent excessive activation of superficial cervical flexors during the curl-up exercise.