Core Stability and Electromyographic Activity of the Trunk Musculature in Different Woman’s Sports

Volleyball players and gymnasts need strength training to achieve their optimum sport performance. The aims of this study were to describe body composition, strength, performance, and characteristics of trunk muscle activation in volleyball players and gymnasts, and to analyze the differences between the sports. The sample consisted of 40 female athletes: rhythmic gymnasts ( n = 24 ; age 13.95 ± 2.77 years) and volleyball players ( n = 16 ; age 19.81 ± 5.55 years). Body composition, maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) of isometric tests in an isokinetic dynamometer, McGill core endurance test, and surface electromyography (EMGrms) of the trunk muscle during the McGill test and isometric tests were recorded. Rhythmic gymnasts presented lower body composition values than volleyball players ( p < 0.05 ). The volleyball players presented higher isometric strength than rhythmic gymnasts in terms of MVC in trunk flexion ( p < 0.05 , d = 1.3 ) and trunk extension ( p < 0.001 , d = 1.3 ). EMGrms from the rhythmic gymnasts were greater for trunk flexor muscles ( p < 0.01 , d = 0.7 ) and trunk extensor muscles ( p < 0.001 , d = 1.3 ) during McGill endurance tests compared to the volleyball players. In the isometric test, EMGrms from the rhythmic gymnasts were greater for trunk flexor muscles in flexion ( p < 0.01 , d = 0.9 ) and extension tests ( p < 0.05 , d = 0.7 ). In conclusion, the volleyball players exhibited higher peak strength, despite the fact that the gymnasts showed greater muscle activity during the maximum voluntary contraction.