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Article ID	#19705
Title	Commentary. An unstable support surface is not a sufficient condition for increases in muscle activity during rehabilitation exercise
URL	http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1978444
Journal	J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2007 Sep;51(3):139-143
Author(s)	Lehman GJ
Subject(s)	Back / physiology Biomechanical Phenomena Electromyography Exercise Therapy / methods Muscle, Skeletal / physiology Rehabilitation / methods
Peer Review	Yes
Publication Type	Article
Abstract/Notes	Excerpt: Resistance training is commonly recognized as an essential component to a rehabilitative treatment plan. Modifications of various exercises are made on the belief that different types of support surfaces and joint positions can influence muscle recruitment levels. One modification to traditional exercises is the addition of an unstable support surface (exercise balls, wobble boards, foam padding) under the assumption that this addition will result in an increase in the neuromuscular activation of the involved muscles. Anecdotally, clinicians and rehabilitation specialists are often heard to state that performing an exercise on an unstable surface causes “the little muscles to work harder to stabilize the joints.” It is a prevalent assumption that the mere addition of unstable surfaces to simple tasks (e.g. sitting on an exercise) ball transforms these simple tasks into exercises which stress the “core” musculature (trunk and pelvis muscles). Click on the above link for free full text. This excerpt is reproduced with the permission of the publisher. PubMed Record

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