Effects of the Abdominal Hollowing and Abdominal Bracing Maneuvers on the Pelvic Rotation Angle during Leg Movement

Effects of the Abdominal Hollowing and Abdominal Bracing Maneuvers on the Pelvic Rotation Angle during Leg Movement

Background: Abdominal hollowing (AH) and abdominal bracing (AB) are well-known stabilization maneuvers used in rehabilitation and training programs. However, few studies have examined how these two techniques affected the lumbopelvic stability during leg movements. Purpose: This study aims to compare pelvic rotation angles during leg movements with AH or AB maneuver. Study design: Comparative, repeated-measures design Methods: This study included 20 male healthy participants. After attaching motion sensor, we asked the participants to perform the two leg movements, straight leg raise (SLR), and bent knee fallout, in three conditions, including abdominal resting (AR), AH, and AB maneuvers, and collected and compared the pelvic rotation angles during each condition. Results: The difference between the three conditions for pelvic rotation angles of both leg movements was significant (p<0.05). When performing SLR or bent knee fallout with AB maneuver, the pelvic rotation angle decreased more significantly than that in performing movements with AR or AH maneuver (p<0.05). When performing SLR or bent knee fallout with AH maneuver, the pelvic rotation angle decreased more significantly than that in performing movements with AR maneuver (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study indicated that the AB maneuver is more effective in SLR, and bent knee fallout with lumbopelvic stabilization exercise than the AH maneuver.