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Article: Quantification of the Differences in Electromyographic Activity Magnitude Between the Upper and Lower Portions of the Rectus Abdominis Muscle During Selected Trunk Exercises.
- Article from:
- Physical Therapy
- Article date:
- May 1, 2001
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2001 American Physical Therapy Association, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Controversy exists around exercises and clinical tests that attempt to differentially activate the upper or lower portion of the rectus abdominis muscle. There is no doubt that the rectus abdominis muscle is the major flexor of the torso[1] compared with other muscles in the abdominal wall and that it plays a minor role in spine stability.[2] However, the clinical question remains regarding the usefulness of attempting to preferentially train either the upper or lower portion of the muscle.
Clinical tests designed to evaluate the strength of the lower portion of the rectus abdominis muscle may be unnecessary if the upper and lower portions of this muscle are ...