Background and purpose: Volleyball requires a lot of the human body, and
effective core stability is necessary for the athlete. Our muscles cooperate as a
chain of motions and core stabilization is the base for the moving muscles.
The most well-known stabilization muscle is m.transversus abdominis (TrA).
The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the function of TrA in
Swedish female elite volleyball players and to observe the influence of eight
weeks of stabilization exercise on the TrA. Method: 10 female elite
volleyball players (mean age 24,7 years, range 18-31 years) participated in
the study. TrA was measured in supine position with a pressure biofeedback
unit. Subjects were instructed to draw in the abdominal wall without moving
the pelvis and hold for 10 seconds. After eight weeks of stabilization exercise
the same test was repeated. Results: 40 % of the subjects had an insufficient
function of TrA in the initial test. In the second test 78 % had improved their
results. Conclusion: Stabilization exercise improves the function of TrA and
should be included in elite practise.
Högskolan i Halmstad/Sektionen för Ekonomi och Teknik (SET) , 2008.
transversus abdominis, stabilitetsträning, volleyboll, pressure biofeedback