The Effects of the Sling Strap Height on Trunk and hip Muscle Activation During the Bridging Exercise with Sling

Purpose: The objective of this study was to identify determine the effect of the strap height on muscular activity of trunk and lower limbs muscles during bridging exercise with a sling. Methods: The subjects of the study were 17 healthy male adults. In order to For measurement of muscular activity, body surfaces electrodes were placed on areas including erector spinae, multifidus muscles, gluteus maximus, and hamstring and the results was were recorded based on three different heights of strap, which are Levels 1, 2, and 3. Results: The muscular activities in erector spinae, multifidus muscle, and gluteus maximus were significantly different in at all three heights (p<0.05)., Level 3 showed the highest the compared to Levels 1 and 2. In hamstring muscle, there was significant difference in levels 1 and 2, also and levels 1 and 3 (p<0.05),. Bbut there was no significant difference between 2 and 3. The ration of muscular activities in multifidus muscles/erector spinae and gluteus maximus/hamstrings were significantly different for all three strap heights (p<0.05). Also, Level 3 showed higher than 1 or 2. Conclusion: The results of this study suggests to adjustment of the level III, that which has high activity level of multifidus and gluteus maximus affecting trunk stability during bridging exercise using a sling.