All the collected EMG data were normalized to the percentage of maximum voluntary isometric contraction. The repeated measures ANOVA and paired t-test were used for the statistical analysis of the data. Results: A comparison between mean muscle activation in right arm extension and left leg extension showed that left internal oblique and left transverse abdominis muscles produced greater activation during left leg extension (P<0.05). The comparison of mean muscle activation Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical between right arm extension and the bird-dog position showed that, except for the right internal oblique, all the muscles produced higher activation

in the bird-dog stage (P<0.05). In comparison to the bird-dog stage, the left Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical multifidus showed high activation during left leg extension (P<0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the activity of all the above-mentioned muscles during quadruped exercise can provide stability, coordination, and smoothness of movements. Key Words: Electromyography, Exercise therapy, Skeletal muscles Introduction There are two important principles in the vertebral column: stability and mobility.

Joint stability is defined as the effective adaptation of the joints to each specific load demand. Gravity, muscle, and ligament forces can produce joint compression, which leads to spinal stability in different conditions.1-4 Complex loading patterns impact Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical the passive structures of the osteoligamentous spine and, if unprotected, the lumbar spine is rendered vulnerable to being impaired.5,6 The other main factor which affects stability is movement. Spinal stability is needed for appropriate movements,1-4 and movement can affect stability. It has been estimated that 75-80% of the Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical world population suffer from low back pain (LBP) at least once in their lives.7,8 Although rarely life-threatening, LBP is extremely disabling and indirectly impinges on national economies.9,10 Several studies have confirmed that the function and co-operation of the Ki16425 stabilizing muscles of the lumbar spine are often impaired in patients with LBP. Muscles play an important role in the etiology, Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical presentation,

and treatment of low back disorders. It is clinically known that excessive motion beyond Phosphoprotein phosphatase the normal physiological limits, sometimes known as spinal instability, may cause chronic LBP.11-13 Recently, a large number of studies have shown that exercising can prevent, treat, and manage LBP. Stability exercises maintain the trunk stability because they restore the vertebral column against the perturbations of movement and activity in daily life.14-16 Up to now, a great deal of research has been conducted on the role of muscles in stabilizing the spinal column. For example, the relative activation amplitudes of oblique, transverse abdominis (TrA), and rectus abdominis muscles were evaluated during the pelvic tilt, abdominal hollowing, and level 1 of the trunk stability test exercises.