Electromyographic response of the abdominal musculature to varying abdominal exercises

This study examined the electromyographic (EMG) response of the upper rectus abdominis (URA), lower rectus abdominis (LRA), internal obliques (IOs), external obliques (EOs), and the rectus femoris (RF) during various abdominal exercises (crunch, supine V-up, prone V-up on ball, prone V-up on slide board, prone V-up on TRX, and prone V-up on Power Wheel). The subjects (n = 21) performed an isometric contraction of the abdominal musculature while performing these exercises. Testing revealed no statistically significant differences between any of the exercises with respect to the EOs, the URA, or the LRA. However, when examining the IO muscle, the supine V-up exercise displayed significantly greater muscle activity than did the slide exercise. In addition, EMG activity of the RF during the crunch was significantly less than in any of the other 5 exercises. These results indicate that when performing isometric abdominal exercises, non-equipment-based exercises stressed the abdominal muscles similarly to equipment-based exercises. Based on the findings of the current study, the benefit of training the abdominal musculature in an isometric fashion using commercial equipment could be called into question.     

Mechanical contribution of expiratory muscles to pressure generation during spinal cord stimulation.

Lower thoracic spinal cord stimulation (SCS) results in the generation of large positive airway pressures (Paw) and may be a useful method of restoring cough in patients with spinal cord injury. The purpose of the present study was to assess the mechanical contribution of individual respiratory muscles to pressure generation during SCS. In anesthetized dogs, SCS was applied at different spinal cord levels by using a 15-lead multicontact electrode before and after sequential ablation of the external and internal obliques, transversus abdominis (TA), rectus abdominis, and internal intercostal muscles. Paw was monitored after tracheal occlusion. SCS at the T(9) spinal cord level resulted in maximal changes in Paw (60 +/- 3 cmH(2)O). Section of the oblique muscles resulted in a fall in Paw to 29 +/- 2 cmH(2)O. After subsequent section of the rectus abdominis and TA, Paw fell to 25 +/- 2 and 12 +/- 1 cmH(2)O respectively. There was a small remaining Paw (4 +/- 1 cmH(2)O) after section of the internal intercostal nerves. Stimulation with a two-electrode lead system (T(9) + T(13)) resulted in significantly greater pressure generation compared with a single-electrode lead due to increased contributions from the obliques and transversus muscles. In a separate group of animals, Paw generation was monitored after section of the abdominal muscles and again after section of the external intercostal and levator costae muscles. These studies demonstrated that inspiratory intercostal muscle stimulation resulted in only a small opposing inspiratory action (相似文献   

Influence of pelvis position on the activation of abdominal and hip flexor muscles

A pelvic position has been sought that optimizes abdominal muscle activation while diminishing hip flexor activation. Thus, the objective of the study was to investigate the effect of pelvic position and the Janda sit-up on trunk muscle activation. Sixteen male volunteers underwent electromyographic (EMG) testing of their abdominal and hip flexor muscles during a supine isometric double straight leg lift (DSLL) with the feet held approximately 5 cm above a board. The second exercise (Janda sit-up) was a sit-up action where participants simultaneously contracted the hamstrings and the abdominal musculature while holding an approximately 45 degrees angle at the knee. Root mean square surface electromyography was calculated for the Janda sit-up and DSLL under 3 pelvic positions: anterior, neutral, and posterior pelvic tilt. The selected muscles were the upper and lower rectus abdominis (URA, LRA), external obliques, lower abdominal stabilizers (LAS), rectus femoris, and biceps femoris. The Janda sit-up position demonstrated the highest URA and LRA activation and the lowest rectus femoris activation. The Janda sit-up and the posterior tilt were significantly greater (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively) than the anterior tilt for the URA and LRA muscles. Activation levels of the URA and LRA in neutral pelvis were significantly (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively) less than the Janda sit-up position, but not significantly different from the posterior tilt. No significant differences in EMG activity were found for the external obliques or LAS. No rectus femoris differences were found in the 3 pelvis positions. The results of this study indicate that pelvic position had a significant effect on the activation of selected trunk and hip muscles during isometric exercise, and the activation of the biceps femoris during the Janda sit-up reduced the activation of the rectus femoris while producing high levels of activation of the URA and LRA.     

Electromyographic activity of the rectus abdominis during a traditional crunch and the basic jackknife exercise with the Ab Lounge™

The use of nontraditional exercise devices such as the Ab Lounge? has been promoted as being as effective as the traditional abdominal crunch in strengthening the abdominal musculature. Evidence for this is lacking, however. The purpose of this study was to compare the degree of activation of the upper and lower rectus abdominis using electromyography (EMG) during a traditional crunch with the basic jackknife using the Ab Lounge?. Twenty-two subjects (6 men and 16 women) were randomly selected from the student population at the University of the West Indies (Mona Campus). The mean age of the participants was 20.5 ± 1.5 years, height 166.4 ± 6.2 cm, weight 64 ± 10.3 kg, and waist-hip ratio 0.7 ± 0.1. Surface EMG was used to assess the muscle activity from the upper and lower rectus abdominis while each exercise was performed. The EMG data were full-wave rectified and normalized using a mathematical model that was set up in Microsoft Excel for Windows XP. Statistical analysis was performed on the data using a univariate analysis of variance with gender as a covariate. Significance was determined by p < 0.05. The mean EMG data recorded for the upper rectus abdominis was significantly higher with the traditional crunch when compared with the basic jackknife performed on the Ab Lounge? (F = 4.39, p = 0.04). The traditional crunch produced a higher level of activity in the lower rectus abdominis when compared with the basic jackknife, but this was not statistically significant (F = 0.249, p = 0.62). There was no significant interaction between gender and the effect of the type of exercise on upper and lower rectus abdominis activation. These results suggest that the traditional abdominal crunch is more effective than the basic jackknife is in activating the rectus abdominis musculature.     

Electromyography of trunk muscles in isometric graded axial rotation.

This study was conducted to determine the pattern, magnitude, and phasic inter-relationship of the trunk muscles in maximal isometric and graded isometric axial rotational contractions and compare them with those previously observed from the same subjects in the same experimental session in dynamic conditions. In 50 normal young healthy subjects (27 male and 23 female), after a suitable skin preparation, bipolar silver-silver chloride recessed pregelled surface electrodes were placed on external oblique, internal oblique, rectus abdominis, pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, erector spinae at T(10) and L(3) levels bilaterally with 2 cm interelectrode distance. EMG signals from grounded subjects were suitably preamplified and amplified by a fully isolated system. These subjects were stabilized in an upright-seated posture in the Axial Rotation Tester (AROT), which was placed in isometric mode for force and rotation output from the AROT. The 14 channels of EMG, the force and the rotation were sampled at 1 kHz. The subjects initially registered their isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) on both sides which was used for reference and then performed their 25%, 50% and 75% of MVC bilaterally in an isometric mode in a random order. The EMG magnitude, the slope of the rise of the EMG, and the phasic interrelationship of muscles were analyzed. The results showed that female sample generated only 65% of torque of their male counterparts. There were no significant differences between the male and the female samples in the EMG variables. Exertions to the left and to the right were not significantly different from each other for the measured variables. However, the magnitude contribution of the muscles and the slope of rise of EMG were significantly different in two directions (p<0.001). The phasic interrelationship of the external obliques, the latissimus dorsi and the erector spinae were different from other muscles (p<0.01). With the increasing grades of contraction the latissimus dorsi and the external obliques increased their magnitude significantly whereas that of the erectores spinae underwent a decrease in proportionate terms (but not in absolute magnitude) suggesting their role as stabilizers but not as rotators.     

Walking slope and heavy backpack loads affect torso muscle activity and kinematics

The independent effects of sloped walking or carrying a heavy backpack on posture and torso muscle activations have been reported. While the combined effects of sloped walking and backpack loads are known to be physically demanding, how back and abdominal muscles adapt to walking on slopes with heavy load is unclear. This study quantified three-dimensional pelvis and torso kinematics and muscle activity from longissimus, iliocostalis, rectus abdominis, and external oblique during walking on 0° and ± 10° degree slopes with and without backpack loads using two different backpack configurations (hip-belt assisted and shoulder-borne). Iliocostalis activity was greater during downhill and uphill compared to level walking, but longissimus was only greater during uphill. Rectus abdominis activity was greater during downhill and uphill compared to level, while external oblique activity decreased as slopes progressed from down to up. Longissimus, but not iliocostalis, activity was reduced during both backpack configurations compared to walking with no pack. Hip-belt assisted load carriage required less rectus abdominis activity compared to using shoulder-borne only backpacks; however, external oblique was not influenced by backpack condition. Our results revealed different responses between iliocostalis and longissimus, and between rectus abdominis and external obliques, suggesting different motor control strategies between anatomical planes.     

Responses of the anterolateral abdominal muscles during cough and expiratory threshold loading in the cat.

The present study was conducted to determine the pattern of activation of the anterolateral abdominal muscles during the cough reflex. Electromyograms (EMGs) of the rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, transversus abdominis, and parasternal muscles were recorded along with gastric pressure in anesthetized cats. Cough was produced by mechanical stimulation of the lumen of the intrathoracic trachea or larynx. The pattern of EMG activation of these muscles during cough was compared with that during graded expiratory threshold loading (ETL; 1-30 cmH(2)O). ETL elicited differential recruitment of abdominal muscle EMG activity (transversus abdominis > internal oblique > rectus abdominis congruent with external oblique). In contrast, both laryngeal and tracheobronchial cough resulted in simultaneous activation of all four anterolateral abdominal muscles with peak EMG amplitudes 3- to 10-fold greater than those observed during the largest ETL. Gastric pressures during laryngeal and tracheobronchial cough were at least eightfold greater than those produced by the largest ETL. These results suggest that, unlike their behavior during expiratory loading, the anterolateral abdominal muscles act as a unit during cough.     

An electromyographic analysis of the Ab-Slide exercise, abdominal crunch, supine double leg thrust, and side bridge in healthy young adults: implications for rehabilitation professionals

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a commercial abdominal machine (Ab-Slide) and three common abdominal strengthening exercises (abdominal crunch, supine double leg thrust, and side bridge) on activating abdominal and minimizing extraneous (nonabdominal) musculature-namely, the rectus femoris muscle. We recruited 10 males and 12 females whose mean (+/- SD) percent body fat was 10.7 +/- 4 and 20.7% +/- 3.2%, respectively. Electromyographic (EMG) data were recorded using surface electrodes for the rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, and rectus femoris. We recorded peak EMG activity for each muscle during each of the four exercises and normalized the EMG values by maximum muscle contractions (% MVIC). A two-factor repeated-measures analysis of variance assessed differences in normalized EMG activity among the different exercise variations (p < 0.05). Post hoc analyses were performed using the Bonferroni-adjusted alpha to assess between-exercise pair comparisons (p < 0.002). Gender did not affect performance; hence, data were collapsed across gender. We found a muscle x exercise interaction (F9,189 = 5.2, p < 0.001). Post hoc analyses revealed six pairwise differences. The Ab-Slide elicited the greatest EMG activity for the abdominal muscles and the least for the rectus femoris. The supine double leg thrust could be a problem for patients with low-back pathology due to high rectus femoris muscle activity.     

Differential activation of psoas major and rectus femoris during active straight leg raise to end range

The purpose of this study was to investigate the activation of the hip flexor and abdominal muscles during an active straight leg raise (ASLR) to end range of hip flexion. Data were recorded from nine healthy men. Fine-wire electromyography (EMG) electrodes were inserted into psoas major (PM), and surface electrodes were placed over rectus femoris (RF), rectus abdominis, obliquus externus abdominis (OE), and obliquus internus abdominis/transversus abdominis (OI/TrA). EMG and kinematic data were obtained during concentric, hold (at end range) and eccentric phases of an ASLR. Concentric and eccentric movements were divided into three phases (early, mid, and late). Onsets of EMG relative to the onset of the ALSR movement and EMG amplitudes in each phase were compared between muscles. Onsets of the PM (–33 ± 245 ms) and RF (-3 ± 119 ms) EMG prior to leg elevation were significantly earlier than those of the OE and OI/TrA. PM EMG showed highest activation in the late concentric, hold, early eccentric phase, and was significantly higher than RF EMG. OI/TrA EMG was significantly greater in mid and late concentric, hold, and early eccentric phase than other phases. During the ASLR, unlike RF, PM EMG continues to increase towards the end range of hip flexion. Activation of OI/TrA muscle may be involved in control trunk and pelvic movement.     

Relative intensity of muscular contraction during shivering.

The intensity of cold-induced shivering, quantified by surface electromyography (EMG) and then expressed as a function of the maximal myoelectrical activity (integrated EMG) obtained during a maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), was examined in this study in individuals classified by body fat. In addition, the relationship between shivering and metabolic rate (MR) and the relative contribution of various muscle groups to total heat production were studied. Ten seminude male volunteers, 5 LEAN (less than 11% body fat) and 5 NORM (greater than 15% body fat) were exposed to 10 degrees C air for 2 h. EMG of six muscle groups (pectoralis major, rectus abdominis, rectus femoris, gastrocnemius, biceps brachii, and brachioradialis) was measured and compared with the EMG of each muscle's MVC. A whole body index of shivering, determined from the mass-weighted intensity of shivering of each muscle group, was correlated with MR. After the initial few minutes of exposure, only the pectoralis major, rectus femoris, and biceps brachii continued to increase their intensity of shivering. Shivering intensity was higher in the central muscles, ranging from 5 to 16% of MVC compared with that in the peripheral muscles, which ranged from 1 to 4% of MVC. Shivering intensities were similar in the peripheral muscles for the LEAN and NORM groups, whereas differences occurred in the trunk muscles for the pectoralis major and rectus abdominis. The whole body index of shivering correlated significantly with each individual's increase in MR (r = 0.63-0.97).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Slow expiration reduces sternocleidomastoid activity and increases transversus abdominis and internal oblique muscle activity during abdominal curl-up

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of quiet inspiration versus slow expiration on sternocleidomastoid (SCM) and abdominal muscle activity during abdominal curl-up in healthy subjects. Twelve healthy subjects participated in this study. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to collect activity of bilateral SCM, rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), and transversus abdominis/internal oblique (TrA/IO) muscles. A paired t-test was used to determine significant differences in the bilateral SCM, RF, EO, and TrA/IO muscles between abdominal curl-up with quiet inspiration and slow expiration. There were significantly lower EMG activity of both SCMs and greater EMG activity of both IOs during abdominal curl-up with slow expiration, compared with the EMG activity of both SCMs and IOs during abdominal curl-up with quiet inspiration (p < .05). The results of this study suggest that slow expiration would be recommended during abdominal curl-up for reduced SCM activation and selective activation of TrA/IO in healthy subjects compared with those in abdominal curl up with quiet inspiration.     

Respiratory abdominal muscle recruitment and chest wall motion in myotonic muscular dystrophy.

Abdominal muscles are selectively active in normal subjects during stress and may increase the potential energy for inspiration by reducing the end-expiratory lung volume (EELV). We hypothesized that a similar process would occur in subjects with myotonic muscular dystrophy (MMD), but would be less effective, because of to their weakness and altered chest wall mechanics. Fine-wire electromyography (EMG) of the transversus abdominis (TA), internal oblique (IO), external oblique, and rectus abdominis was recorded in 10 MMD and 10 control subjects. EMG activity, respiratory inductive plethysmography, and gastric pressure were recorded during static pressure measurement and at increasing levels of inspiratory resistance breathing. EELV was reduced and chest wall motion was synchronous only in controls. Although the TA and IO were selectively recruited in both groups, EMG activity of the MMD group was twice that of controls at the same inspiratory pressure. In MMD subjects with mildly reduced forced vital capacity, significant differences can be seen in abdominal muscle recruitment, wall motion, work of breathing, and ventilatory parameters.     

Effect of hypercapnia and PEEP on expiratory muscle EMG and shortening

The present study examined the effects of hypercapnia and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) on the electromyographic (EMG) activity and tidal length changes of the expiratory muscles in 12 anesthetized, spontaneously breathing dogs. The integrated EMG activity of both abdominal (external oblique, internal oblique, rectus abdominis, and transverse abdominis) and thoracic (triangularis sterni, internal intercostal) expiratory muscles increased linearly with increasing PCO2 and PEEP. However, with both hypercapnia and PEEP, the percent increase in abdominal muscle electrical activity exceeded that of thoracic expiratory muscle activity. Both hypercapnia and PEEP increased the tidal shortening of the external oblique and rectus abdominis muscles. Changes in tidal length correlated closely with simultaneous increases in muscle electrical activity. However, during both hypercapnia and PEEP, length changes of the external oblique were significantly greater than those of the rectus abdominis. We conclude that both progressive hypercapnia and PEEP increase the electrical activity of all expiratory muscles and augment their tidal shortening but produce quantitatively different responses in the several expiratory muscles.     

Posture effects on timing of abdominal muscle activity during stimulated ventilation.

In humans during stimulated ventilation, substantial abdominal muscle activity extends into the following inspiration as postexpiratory expiratory activity (PEEA) and commences again during late inspiration as preexpiratory expiratory activity (PREA). We hypothesized that the timing of PEEA and PREA would be changed systematically by posture. Fine-wire electrodes were inserted into the rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, and transversus abdominis in nine awake subjects. Airflow, end-tidal CO2, and moving average electromyogram (EMG) signals were recorded during resting and CO2-stimulated ventilation in both supine and standing postures. Phasic expiratory EMG activity (tidal EMG) of the four abdominal muscles at any level of CO2 stimulation was greater while standing. Abdominal muscle activities during inspiration, PEEA, and PREA, were observed with CO2 stimulation, both supine and standing. Change in posture had a significant effect on intrabreath timing of expiratory muscle activation at any level of CO2 stimulation. The transversus abdominis showed a significant increase in PEEA and a significant decrease in PREA while subjects were standing; similar changes were seen in the internal oblique. We conclude that changes in posture are associated with significant changes in phasic expiratory activity of the four abdominal muscles, with systematic changes in the timing of abdominal muscle activity during early and late inspiration.     

Effect of instruction,surface stability,and load intensity on trunk muscle activity

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of verbal instruction, surface stability, and load intensity on trunk muscle activity levels during the free weight squat exercise. Twelve trained males performed a free weight squat under four conditions: (1) standing on stable ground lifting 50% of their 1-repetition maximum (RM), (2) standing on a BOSU balance trainer lifting 50% of their 1-RM, (3) standing on stable ground lifting 75% of their 1-RM, and (4) receiving verbal instructions to activate the trunk muscles followed by lifting 50% of their 1-RM. Surface EMG activity from muscles rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), transversus abdominis/internal oblique (TA/IO), and erector spinae (ES) were recorded for each condition and normalized for comparisons. Muscles RA, EO, and TA/IO displayed greater peak activity (39–167%) during squats with instructions compared to the other squat conditions (P = 0.04–0.007). Peak EMG activity of muscle ES was greater for the 75% 1-RM condition than squats with instructions or lifting 50% of 1-RM (P = 0.04–0.02). The results indicate that if the goal is to enhance EMG activity of the abdominal muscles during a multi-joint squat exercise then verbal instructions may be more effective than increasing load intensity or lifting on an unstable surface. However, in light of other research, conscious co-activation of the trunk muscles during the squat exercise may lead to spinal instability and hazardous compression forces in the lumbar spine.     

EMG spectral characteristics of spinal muscles during isometric axial rotation.

The objective of this study was to determine the frequency profile, median frequency (MF) and mean power frequency (MPF) of trunk muscles in an isometric graded maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) in isometric axial trunk rotation from a neutral upright seated posture. Twelve young healthy subjects (seven males, five females) were instrumented with surface electrodes on their external obliques, internal obliques, rectus abdominis, pectoralis, latissimus dorsi and erector spinae at T10 and L3 levels bilaterally. These subjects were stabilized in seated posture in an axial rotation tester (AROT) and asked to perform a graded isometric contraction of their maximal value to both right and left directions from a neutral posture within a period of 10s. EMG from all 14 channels were sampled at 1 kHz at 10% intervals of MVC from 10% to MVC. These samples were subjected to fast Fourier transform analysis. The frequency profile plots demonstrated the power of muscles involved in agonistic and antagonistic activity. However, the frequency composition showed little difference between them. The MF was higher in agonists of the same muscle. The MPF was always higher than MF. Both values were generally insignificantly different between different levels of contraction. However, with increasing level of contraction there was increase in power.     

Closure of the donor defect for breast reconstruction with rectus abdominis myocutaneous flaps

The abdominal muscles not only constitute a multidirectional cinch that holds the abdominal contents in place, but they also determine the flexion and rotational movements of the trunk. The rectus is mainly responsible for flexion and the obliques are responsible for rotating the trunk. It is therefore important to maintain the tone and direction of pull of the oblique muscles. The key to closure of the fascial defect is to replace the same area of anterior rectus fascia (tendon of both obliques and transversus muscles) as has been removed with the rectus abdominis flap pedicle. This replacement, done with a double Merselene mesh, should extend up to the costal margin and should be of the same width as the fascia taken with the muscle pedicle. This technique was drawn from experience with 186 patients. Of these, 31 were simply approximated, and 43 percent developed weakness, bulging, or hernias, of which 5 required secondary repair. A total of 155 patients were closed with Merselene mesh, and only 4 percent developed bulging that was later repaired and attributed to technical mistakes. There were two cases of infection and three cases of exposed mesh due to necrosis (mesh did not need removal). Seromas were common (14 percent), but the incidence was reduced to 5 percent after tacking stitches were done from the mesh to the subcutaneous fascia.     

Integrated approach for in vivo evaluation of respiratory muscles mechanics

The respiratory muscles constitute the respiratory pump, which determines the efficacy of ventilation. Any functional disorder in their performance may cause insufficient ventilation. This study was designed to quantitatively explore the relative contribution of major groups of respiratory muscles to global lung ventilation throughout a range of maneuvers in healthy subjects. A computerized experimental system was developed for simultaneous noninvasive measurement of inspired/expired airflow, mouth pressure and up to 8 channels of EMG surface signals from major respiratory muscles which are located near the skin (e.g., sternomastoid, external intercostal, rectus abdominis and external oblique) during various respiratory maneuvers. Lung volumes values were calculated by integration of airflow data. Hill's muscle model was utilized to calculate the forces generated by the muscles from the acquired EMG data. Analysis of EMG measurements and respiratory muscles forces revealed the following characteristics: (a) muscle activity increased with increased breathing effort, (b) inspiratory muscles contributed to inspiration even at relatively low flow rates, while expiratory muscles are recruited at higher flow rates, (c) the forces generated by the muscle depended on the muscle properties as well as on their EMG performance and (d) the pattern of the muscle's force curves varied between subjects, but were generally consistent for the same subject regardless of breathing effort.     

Contribution of the skin,rectus abdominis and their sheaths to the structural response of the abdominal wall ex vivo

A better understanding of the abdominal wall biomechanics could help designing new treatments for incisional hernia. In the current study, an experimental protocol was developed to evaluate the contributions of the abdominal wall components to the structural response of the anterior part of the abdominal wall. The specimens underwent 3 dissections (removal of (1) skin and subcutaneous fat, (2) anterior rectus sheath, (3) rectus abdominis muscles). After each dissection, they were subjected to air pressure up to 3 kPa. Ultrasound images and associated elastographic maps were collected at 0, 2 and 3 kPa in the intact state and strains on the internal surface were calculated using stereo-correlation in all states. Strains on the rectus abdominis and linea alba were analyzed. After the dissection of the anterior sheath of the rectus abdominis, longitudinal strain was found significantly different on the linea alba (5% at 3 kPa) and on the rectus abdominis area (11% at 3 kPa). The current results highlight the importance of the rectus sheath in the structural response of the anterior part of the abdominal wall ex vivo. Geometrical characteristics such as thicknesses and radii of curvature and mechanical properties (shear modulus of the rectus abdominis, e.g. at 0 pressure the average value is 14 kPa) were provided in order to facilitate future modeling efforts.     

Quantification of abdominal and pelvic floor muscle synergies in response to voluntary pelvic floor muscle contractions

The relative levels of pelvic floor muscle (PFM) activation and pressure generated by maximum voluntary PFM contractions were investigated in healthy continent women. The normal sequence of abdominal and PFM activation was determined.Fifteen women performed single and repeated maximum voluntary PFM contractions in supine, sitting and standing. PFM electromyographic (EMG) signals and associated intra-vaginal pressure data were recorded simultaneously. Surface EMG data were recorded from rectus abdominus (RA), external obliques (EO), internal obliques (IO) and transversus abdominus (TA).Abdominal and PFM EMG and intra-vaginal pressure amplitudes generated during voluntary PFM contractions were not different among the positions. Muscle activation sequence differed by position. In supine, EO activation preceded all other muscles by 27 ms (p = 0.043). In sitting, all of the muscles were activated simultaneously. In standing, RA and EO were activated 11 and 17 ms, respectively, prior to the PFMs and TA and IO were activated 10 and 12 ms, respectively, after the PFMs (p ≪ 0.001).The results suggest that women are able to perform equally strong PFM contractions in supine, sitting and standing, however the pattern of abdominal and PFM activation varies by position. These differences may be related to position-dependent urine leakage in women with stress incontinence.