Muscle Activation During Mat and Reformer Bridge Exercises With Heel Raise

Bridge exercises are commonly used in physiotherapy and Pilates-based rehabilitation to improve trunk stability and lower extremity muscle function. However, the effects of heel raise variation and different reformer spring resistances on muscle activation have not been fully investigated.

The purpose of this study was to examine and compare the electromyographic activity of selected 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 five different spring resistance levels. Thirty healthy female participants were included. Surface electromyography (sEMG) was used to assess the activity of the rectus abdominis, erector spinae, gluteus maximus, biceps femoris, semimembranosus, medial gastrocnemius, and lateral gastrocnemius muscles. Muscle activity was normalized to maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC).

The results of this study may contribute to evidence-based exercise selection and optimization of reformer spring resistance for physiotherapy, rehabilitation, and Pilates applications.

Inclusion criteria

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

Exclusion criteria

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