J Sports Sci Med. 2010 Jun 01;9(2):270-4. eCollection 2010.

The effect of core exercises on transdiaphragmatic pressure.

Journal of sports science & medicine

Lisa M Strongoli, Christopher L Gomez, J Richard Coast

PMID: 24149695 PMCID: PMC3761737

Abstract

Abdominal exercises, such as sit ups and leg lifts, are used to enhance strength of the core muscles. An overlooked aspect of abdominal exercises is the compression the abdomen, leading to increased diaphragmatic work. We hypothesized that core exercises would produce a variety of transdiaphragmatic pressures. We also sought to determine if some of the easy exercises would produce pressures sufficient for a training stimulus to the diaphragm. We evaluated the effect of 13 different abdominal exercises, ranging in difficulty, on transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi), an index of diaphragmatic activity. Six healthy subjects, aged 22 to 53, participated. Each subject was instrumented with two balloon-tipped catheters to obtain gastric and esophageal pressures, from which Pdi was calculated. Prior to initiating the exercises, each subject performed a maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) maneuver. Resting Pdi was also measured. The exercises were performed from least to most difficult, with five repetitions each. There was a significant difference between the exercises and the MIP Pdi, as well as between the exercises and resting Pdi (p < 0.001). The exercises stratified into three Pdi levels. Seven of the exercises yielded Pdi ≥ 50% of the Pdi during the MIP maneuver, which may provide a training stimulus to the diaphragm if used as a regular exercise. The Pdi measurements also provide insight into diaphragm recruitment during different core exercises, and may aid in the design of exercises to improve diaphragm strength and endurance. Key pointsPlease provide 3-5 bullet points of the study.The study examined the effect of different core exercises of varying difficulty on activation of the diaphragm.We found that the exercises yielded different pressures, some of which were greater than 50% of the pressures generated during a maximal inspiratory maneuver.The difficulty of the exercise was not always correlated with the magnitude of the pressure.Some of these exercises should be easy enough for subjects in rehabilitation programs to perform and still generate high enough pressures to help strengthen the diaphragm.

Keywords: Abdominal exercise; diaphragm activation; esophageal pressure; gastric pressure

References

1. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2000 Aug;162(2 Pt 1):456-9 - PubMed
2. Respir Med. 2001 Jun;95(6):526-31 - PubMed
3. Scand J Rehabil Med. 1994 Jun;26(2):79-86 - PubMed
4. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2003 Oct;90(3-4):405-10 - PubMed
5. Acta Physiol Scand. 1992 Apr;144(4):409-18 - PubMed
6. Clin Chest Med. 1988 Jun;9(2):287-96 - PubMed
7. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1969 May;99(5):696-702 - PubMed
8. J Appl Physiol Respir Environ Exerc Physiol. 1978 Jun;44(6):909-13 - PubMed
9. J Physiol. 1997 Dec 1;505 ( Pt 2):539-48 - PubMed
10. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2007 Mar;99(4):393-404 - PubMed
11. J Physiol. 2000 Jan 1;522 Pt 1:165-75 - PubMed
12. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2004 Feb;96(2):731-4 - PubMed
13. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2000 Sep;89(3):967-76 - PubMed
14. Chest. 1985 Jan;87(1):62-6 - PubMed

Publication Types

• Journal Article