Muscle Activation During Mat and Reformer Bridge Exercises With Heel Raise

Bridge exercises are commonly used in physiotherapy and Pilates-based rehabilitation to improve trunk stability and lower extremity muscle function. However, the effects of heel raise variation and different reformer spring resistances on muscle activation have not been fully investigated.

The purpose of this study was to examine and compare the electromyographic activity of selected trunk and lower extremity muscles during double-leg bridge and double-leg bridge with heel raise exercises performed on a mat and on a reformer with five different spring resistance levels. Thirty healthy female participants were included. Surface electromyography (sEMG) was used to assess the activity of the rectus abdominis, erector spinae, gluteus maximus, biceps femoris, semimembranosus, medial gastrocnemius, and lateral gastrocnemius muscles. Muscle activity was normalized to maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC).

The results of this study may contribute to evidence-based exercise selection and optimization of reformer spring resistance for physiotherapy, rehabilitation, and Pilates applications.

• Bridge and Heel Raise Bridge Exercises on Mat and Reformer (Behavioral): Participants performed double-leg bridge and double-leg heel raise bridge exercises on a mat and on a reformer with five different spring resistance levels. Surface electromyography (sEMG) was used to measure the activation of the rectus abdominis, erector spinae, gluteus maximus, biceps femoris, semimembranosus, medial gastrocnemius, and lateral gastrocnemius muscles during each exercise condition. All participants completed every exercise condition.

Primary outcomes

• Surface Electromyographic Muscle Activation (%MVIC) during bridge exercises [Baseline (single study visit)]: Surface electromyographic (%MVIC) activity of the rectus abdominis, erector spinae, gluteus maximus, biceps femoris, semimembranosus, medial gastrocnemius and lateral gastrocnemius muscles during bridge exercises on the mat and reformer.
• Surface Electromyographic Muscle Activation (%MVIC) during bridge and heel raise bridge exercises [Baseline (single study visit)]: Surface electromyographic activity (%MVIC) of the rectus abdominis, erector spinae, gluteus maximus, biceps femoris, semimembranosus, medial gastrocnemius, and lateral gastrocnemius muscles measured during bridge and heel raise bridge exercises performed on a mat and on a reformer with different spring resistance levels.

Sex: Female, ages: 18 Years to 40 Years, accepts healthy volunteers

Inclusion Criteria:

Female participants Age between 18 and 40 years Healthy volunteers Able to perform bridge exercises Provided written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

History of spinal or lower extremity pain or surgery Neurological disorders Cardiovascular or respiratory conditions contraindicating exercise Pregnancy or less than 6 months postpartum Skin lesions preventing sEMG electrode placement Use of medications affecting neuromuscular function Postural deformities affecting exercise performance Musculoskeletal disorders affecting trunk or lower extremities