Effects of abdominal drawing-in maneuver with pressure biofeedback, foam-roller and quadruped on lumbopelvic stability and muscle activities in lumbar rotation syndrome.

The abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) exercise has been commonly applied to recover lumbopelvic stability and normal movement in the clinical field. Although many researchers investigated its effects using several methods, there is further need for comparing those methods. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of ADIM with three different methods including a pressure biofeedback unit, a foam-roller, and the quadruped posture on lumbopelvic rotation and muscle activities. Twenty-five healthy participants (14 males, 11 females) who volunteered for this study were randomly divided into three intervention groups. We obtained pre- and postintervention data through application of a three-dimensional motion analysis system and a surface electromyography. Results showed that lumbopelvic rotation degree was significantly decreased in all groups (<0.05). The muscle activities of external oblique, internal oblique of left side, and gluteus maximus were significantly increased (<0.05). The muscle activities of erector spinae and biceps femoris were not significantly different (>0.05). The muscle activity of internal oblique of the right side showed significant differences (<0.05), between ADIM with pressure biofeedback group and ADIM with foam-roller group, and ADIM with foam-roller group and ADIM with quadruped group. Three kinds of ADIM were effective to recover lumbopelvic stability. This study suggests that the proper method of ADIM should be applied to a given patient considering abilities to maintain equilibrium and to control muscular strength.