The effect of the trunk and gluteus maximus muscle activities according to support surface and hip joint rotation during bridge exercise.
Chan-Myeong Kim, Yong-Soo Kong, Yoon-Tae Hwang and 1 others
PMID 30034103WHAT IT FOUND
Bridge on a stable table at 25 degrees hip external rotation produced the highest measured gluteus maximus activity.
A Swiss ball bridge raised external oblique activity, highest at 25 degrees internal rotation. These were muscle-activity findings in normal males, not evidence about pain or function.
Key findings
01Gluteus maximus activity was higher on the stable surface and highest at 25 degrees hip external rotation.
02External oblique activity was higher on the unstable surface and highest at 25 degrees hip internal rotation.
03Erector spinae activity did not differ between surfaces and was highest at 25 degrees hip internal rotation.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The participants were 28 normal males in their twenties, so the results may not apply to patients with pain at the waist and pelvis. The study measured muscle electrical activity, not pain or function. The researchers could not fully exclude the influence of muscle movement on the muscle electrical signal while posture was maintained. Only external oblique, erector spinae, and gluteus maximus were measured, and femur torsion angle and pelvis angle were not considered.
Declared interests
The authors reported no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read the higher gluteus maximus activity on a stable table as proof that this bridge variation treats low back pain. The study measured muscle electrical activity in 28 normal males and did not test pain or function.