Effect of Plank Exercise Combined with Breathing and Arm Exercises on Abdominal Muscle Thickness

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of plank exercise combined with breathing and arm exercises on the external oblique, internal oblique, and transverse abdominal muscle thickness. METHODS: Thirty healthy adults consisting of 12 males and 18 females from K area were divided into a plank exercise combined with breathing and arm exercises group (n = 15) and a plank exercise only group (n=15). The changes in muscle thickness before the exercise and four and eight weeks after the exercise were analyzed using a two-way repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA). The significance level was set to α=0.05. Post-hoc t-tests were conducted to detect the interactions between the time and groups, and the significance level was set to α=0.01. RESULTS: According to the experimental results, the external oblique abdominal muscle showed significant differences over time (p<0.05). The internal oblique abdominal muscle also showed significant differences over time and in the interactions between the time and groups (p<0.05). The transverse abdominal muscle showed significant differences over time, in the interactions between time and groups, and in the changes between the groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The results indicated that plank exercise combined with breathing and arm movement exercises led to increases in the abdominal muscle thickness. These types of exercises may be useful in lumbar stabilization rehabilitation treatment.

Effects of Plank Exercises with Resistance of One-Sided Hip Adduction on the Abdominal Muscle Thickness

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of plank exercises with resistance of one-sided hip adduction on abdominal muscle thickness. METHODS: Thirty subjects were divided into a group that underwent plank exercises with one-sided hip adduction resistance (n=15) and a group that underwent plank exercises only (n=15). Their changes in abdominal muscle thickness before the experiment (n=15) and three and six weeks after the experiment were analyzed using a two-way repeated analysis of variance at a statistical significance level of α=0.05. When there was any interaction between the time of measurement and each group, post hoc t-tests were conducted at a statistical significance level of α=0.01. RESULTS: The results of the experiment showed statistically significant differences in the thickness of the rectus abdominis, internal oblique muscle, and transversus abdominis, depending on the time of measurement and the interaction between the time of measurement and each group (p<0.05). Statistically significant differences were observed in the thickness of the external oblique, depending on the time of measurement, the interaction between the time of measurement and each group, and variances between the groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicated that plank exercises with resistance of one-sided adduction are effective for increasing abdominal muscle thickness. The study's overall findings will likely be used as basic data for lumbar stabilization exercises and rehabilitation treatment.

Effects of Different Sizes of Blood Flow Restriction Areas on Changes in Muscle Thickness

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to examine the effects of different sizes of blood flow restriction areas on the thickness of the external oblique and biceps brachii. METHODS: The study subjects were 52 adults who were divided into four groups that performed plank exercises over a six-week period after blood flow restriction. Changes in the thickness of the external oblique and biceps brachii were measured using ultrasonography before the experiment, then three and six weeks after the experiment. The changes in each variable over time were evaluated by repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS: The external oblique and biceps brachii showed significant differences in muscle thickness with regard to time and the interaction between time and each group (p0.05). CONCLUSION: A larger blood flow restriction area resulted in a statistically significant increase in muscle thickness. The results of this study may be used as the basis for future studies and for rehabilitation in clinical practice.