Effects of bridging exercise methods on the muscular activity of the neck, trunk and lower limbs

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different bridging exercise methods, varied by the position of the lower limbs, on the muscular activity of the neck, trunk, thigh and lower limbs. [Subjects] The subjects of this study were 14 males in their twenties. [Methods] The muscular activities of the longissimus capitis and sternocleidomastoid in the neck, the erector spinae and rectus abdominis in the trunk, the rectus femoris and lateral hamstring in the thigh, and the tibialis anterior and lateral head of the gastrocnemius in the lower leg were measured using a surface electromyography. [Results] The comparison of the muscular activities showed signiicant differences in the longissimus capitis, rectus abdominis, erector spinae, rectus femoris, biceps femoris and gastrocnemius muscles among the bridging exercise methods. [Conclusion] Action and activity of muscle groups varies according to the position of the lower limbs during the bridging exercise.