Comparing muscle coordination patterns in yoga-focused exercises with those in standard stabilization exercises.

BACKGROUND

Yoga-focused exercises are increasingly recognized as a potential tool for aiding individuals with musculoskeletal conditions, such as low back pain. This study aimed to investigate the differences in muscle synergies during yoga-focused exercises compared to standard stabilization exercises, to clarify the neuromechanical mechanisms underlying the use of yoga-focused exercises.

METHODS

Eleven healthy males participated in the study. Unilateral surface EMG data were collected from 15 muscle groups in the trunk, upper, and lower limbs during both yoga-focused and standard exercises. Non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) was utilized to extract muscle synergies.

RESULTS

Yoga-focused exercises demonstrated a significantly higher number of muscle synergies compared to standard stabilization exercises (p = 0.02, effect size = 1.09), with median values of 9.0 (range 8.0-11.0) for yoga-focused exercises and 8.0 (range 6.0-10.0) for standard exercises. Several yoga-specific muscle synergies were identified, highlighting a more diverse array of muscle activation patterns, particularly in the lumbopelvic region.

CONCLUSIONS

The distinct muscle synergies observed in yoga-focused exercises suggest a unique neuromechanical profile, potentially contributing to improved muscle coordination for lumbopelvic function.