The Impacts of Elastic Band Training on the Posterior Abdominal Wall Muscles of Olympic-Style Weightlifters

Abstract

Purpose: In this study, it was aimed to examine the impacts of elastics band trainings, which were applied for 12 weeks on the Olympic-style weightlifters, on their sportive performances and psoas, ilacus, and quadratus lumborum muscle volumes.

Materials and Methods: This research study was conducted on 4 groups, comprising of 12 men (elastic band training group (n=6), control group (n=6)), and 12 women (elastic band training group (n=6), control group (n=6)) Olympic-style weightlifters. The athletes in the elastic band training groups were engaged in standing hip flexion exercises, clamshell exercises, lying hip flexion exercises, and side bend exercises. Before and after the elastic band training applied to the Olympic-style weightlifters for 12 weeks, (1.5 Tesla) MRI device was used for the axial images of the regions starting from the 12^th thoracic vertebrae to the trochanter minor of femur. The volume calculations of the muscles were conducted via the Cavalieri method.

Results: After the elastic band training, it was determined that the total volume of posterior abdominal wall muscles of the men and women weightlifters in the elastic band training groups and the total weights lifted by them were higher compared to those of the control group individuals (p<0,001).

Conclusion: As the result, it can be stated that including the posterior abdominal wall muscle developing trainings into the general programs of the weightlifters in the Olympic weightlifting sport can both enable an increase in the volumes of the muscles in this region and positively influence the performance of the athletes.