Electromyographic assessment of trunk and shoulder muscles during a Pilates pull-up exercise.

Authors

  • Isabel de Camargo Neves Sacco Department of Physical, Therapy Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP
  • Eduardo Mori Department of Physical, Therapy Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP
  • Bergson Queiroz Department of Physical, Therapy Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP
  • Nadia Marconi Physical Therapy Department, University of Brasília, DF
  • Ivye Leite dos Reis Pereira Department of Physical, Therapy Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5016/7907

Keywords:

Biomechanics. Electromyography. Exercise therapy. Abdominal wall.

Abstract

This study compares surface electromyographic activity of the internal oblique, rectus abdominis, multifidus, iliocostalis, anterior deltoids during the pull-up on a lower and on a higher difficulty level. We assessed nine adults with previous experience in Pilates. The root mean square (RMS) values were normalized by maximum isometric contraction for each participant. During the ascent phase, the low spring position showed a significantly higher RMS than the high spring position of 8.9% for deltoid, 17.2% for internal oblique, 22.3% for rectus abdominis, 4.1% for iliocostalis, and 5.6% for multifidus, and in the descent phase, the RMS in the lower spring exceeded significantly the high spring position in 1.6% for the deltoid, 10% for internal oblique, 31.4% for rectus abdominis and 11.4% for iliocostalis. There was no predominance of abdominal muscles over the shoulder muscle in any spring position. The pull-up exercise can be a useful choice for the core and anterior deltoid muscles strengthening.

Author Biographies

Isabel de Camargo Neves Sacco, Department of Physical, Therapy Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP

Undergraduation in Physical Education at the Universidade de São Paulo (1995), Master's in Physical Education at the Universidade de São Paulo (1997) and PhD in Physical Education at the Universidade de São Paulo (2001). Has experience in Physical Education, particularly Biomechanics; in Physical Therapy, particularly in movement analysis; and in Multidisciplinary field. Main focus of study: biomechanics of human locomotion, sports, diabetic neuropathy, Pilates method, knee osteoarthritis, and footwear.

Bergson Queiroz, Department of Physical, Therapy Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP

has graduation at Fisioterapia by Centro Universitário São Camilo (2005) and specialization at Fisioterapia Ortopédica e Traumatológica by Universidade São Marcos (2007) . Currently is Livre of Universidade de São Paulo, Revisor de periódico of Revista Fisioterapia e Pesquisa e Revisor de periódico of Revista Brasileira de Biomecânica. Has experience in the area of Arts , with emphasis on Dança. Focused, mainly, in the subjects: Biomecânica, Eletromiografia, pilates, Fisioterapia.

Nadia Marconi, Physical Therapy Department, University of Brasília, DF

graduate at Fisioterapia from Universidade Metodista de Piracicaba (1996), master's at Physiology from Universidade Estadual de Campinas (2000) and ph.d. at Physiology from Universidade Estadual de Campinas (2005). Has experience in Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, focusing on Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, acting on the following subjects: síndrome de down, eletromiografia, movimentos complexos, cinemática and controle motor.

Ivye Leite dos Reis Pereira, Department of Physical, Therapy Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP

bachelor's at Fisioterapia from Universidade de Santo Amaro (2004). Has experience in Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, focusing on Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, acting on the following subjects: pull-up, avaliação eletromiográfica, fisioterapia em queimados, queimaduras and pilates.

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Published

2014-06-27

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Section

Original Articles