Effect of two abdominal exercises on lateral transfer movement in the sitting position of healthy elderly subjects: Examination of the center of pressure during sitting and the muscle activities of the trunk and lower extremities

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of two abdominal exercises on the lateral transfer movement in the sitting position of healthy elderly subjects. [Subjects] The subjects were 17 healthy elderly persons. [Methods] We measured the center of pressure during lateral movement in the sitting position and the muscular activity of the trunk and lower extremities before and after the abdominal exercises. [Results] In the group which showed decreased center of pressure, the activity ratio of the external oblique muscle and internal oblique muscle (EO/IO ratio) was close to 100%. On the other hand, in the group which showed increased center of pressure, the EO/IO ratio was not close to 100%. [Conclusion] Abdominal exercise mainly focuses on muscular activity, however the results of this study suggest that the relative ratio of the oblique muscle in lateral movement is more important than the difference in muscular activity or the method of the abdominal exercise.