Muscle Activation During Mat and Reformer Bridge Exercises With Heel Raise

NCT07741799 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 25-134
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aimed to compare the electromyographic (EMG) activity of 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 different spring resistances. Thirty healthy women participated in this interventional study. Surface EMG was used to record the activity of the rectus abdominis, erector spinae, gluteus maximus, biceps femoris, semimembranosus, medial gastrocnemius, and lateral gastrocnemius muscles. The findings are expected to provide evidence for selecting appropriate bridge exercise variations and reformer spring resistance in physiotherapy and Pilates-based rehabilitation.

Conditions

Healthy Volunteers (HV); Muscle Activation

Keywords

Double Leg Bridge; Bridge Exercise; Heel Raise Bridge; Heel Raise; Reformer Pilates; Mat Pilates; Surface Electromyography; sEMG; Muscle Activation; Trunk Muscles; Lower Extremity Muscles; Gluteus Maximus; Biceps Femoris; Semimembranosus; Gastrocnemius; Medial Gastrocnemius; Lateral Gastrocnemius; Rectus Abdominis; Core Stability; Lumbopelvic Stability; Spring Resistance; Healthy Volunteers; Lower Rectus Abdominis; Upper Rectus Abdominis

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Surface Electromyographic Muscle Activation (%MVIC) during bridge exercises

  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.

  Baseline (single study visit)

• Surface Electromyographic Muscle Activation (%MVIC) during bridge and heel raise bridge exercises

  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.

  Baseline (single study visit)

Study Arms (1)

Exercise Intervention

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants performed double-leg bridge and double-leg bridge with heel raise exercises on a mat and on a reformer with different spring resistance levels. Surface electromyography (sEMG) was used to assess trunk and lower extremity muscle activation during all exercise conditions.

Behavioral: Bridge and Heel Raise Bridge Exercises on Mat and Reformer

Interventions

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.

Exercise Intervention

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 40 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

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

You may not qualify if:

• 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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istinye University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Istinye University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Fizyotem Laboratory

Istanbul, 34010, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: All participants underwent all study interventions. Muscle activity was measured during bridge exercise variations performed on a mat and on a reformer with different spring resistance levels using surface electromyography (sEMG).

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 29, 2026
• First Posted: August 3, 2026
• Study Start: December 14, 2025
• Primary Completion: March 30, 2026
• Study Completion: March 30, 2026
• Last Updated: August 3, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)