Abdominal drawing-in maneuver with visual biofeedback on muscle activity in young adults

Background: The abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) is a core stability exercise; however, controlling muscle activity of transversus abdominis/internal oblique (TrA/IO) is difficult. Real-time visual biofeedback (RVBF) is promising as an effective method for practice. This study aimed to investigate the effect of ADIM with RVBF on muscle activity. Methods: Twelve young adults were recruited for this study. Surface electromyography was attached to the following muscles: 1) TrA/IO, 2) lumbar multifidus (LM), 3) lumbar erector spinae (LES), 4) gluteus medius (GMed), and 5) gluteus maximus (GMax) during with and without ADIM reported as a percentage of maximal voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC). The RVBF was used to provide feedback to participants during ADIM in both standing and lunge positions. Results: ADIM with 24.92 %MVIC of TrA/IO can increase LM, LES, and GMed significantly in standing and GMax in the lunge position. Conclusions: ADIM with RVBF enhanced the improvement of back and hip muscle activity. Therefore, its use is recommended when performing exercises in the standing and lunge positions.