Comparison of Abshaper and conventionally performed abdominal exercises using surface electromyography

Abstract

PURPOSE: Many commercially available pieces of abdominal exercise equipment have been introduced to facilitate endurance training of the abdominal musculature. One of the latest devices is the Abshaper. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is any difference between abdominal exercises performed while using the Abshaper compared with those performed conventionally. METHODS: Using surface electromyography (EMG), the upper and lower regions of rectus abdominis (RA), the external oblique (EO), and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscles of 22 first-year physical therapy students were assessed. Each participant performed five straight trunk curls and five side trunk curls both with th..