Effect of pelvic belt on gluteal muscles activity during therapeutic exercise

Abstract

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to investigate the EMG amplitude of the gluteus maximus (GMax) and medius (GMed) during 6 exercises with and without a pelvic belt. [Subjects] Twenty healthy males were recruited. [Methods] The belt was positioned below the anterior superior iliac spine. Surface EMG was used to measure the GMax and GMed activity of the dominant limb during exercise. The percentage of the EMG amplitude relative to maximal voluntary isometric contraction was analyzed with a mixed within-between subjects analysis of variance (ANOVA). [Results] This study showed significantly increased GMax activity in the pelvic belt condition as a main effect. However, there was no significant effect on GMed activity except with the hip clam. [Conclusion] The pelvic belt significantly improved GMax activity during exercises in contrast to the GMed activity. When treating people with weakness of gluteal muscles, the functional specific exercises with a pelvic belt have the beneficial effect of associated muscle strengthening.