Purpose: This study compared two groups of instructor-led exercises, one using visual and auditory feedback and the other using proprioceptive feedback, to investigate the differences in exercise effectiveness during bridge exercise. Bridge exercise h...
Purpose: This study compared two groups of instructor-led exercises, one using visual and auditory feedback and the other using proprioceptive feedback, to investigate the differences in exercise effectiveness during bridge exercise. Bridge exercise has been reported to significantly improve movement accuracy, postural alignment, balance, and trunk muscle activation. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of voluntary internal feedback, utilizing proprioceptive cues provided by the elastic band, on trunk muscle activation and physical function.
Method: The subjects of this study were 24 women in their 20s attending S University in Busan. The study was conducted for two months, from October to November 2025. All participants were randomly assigned to two groups: the band exercise group and the instructor-led group. Before participating in the study, all subjects performed five to seven brief pre-training sessions to familiarize themselves with the bridge exercise.
The band exercise group performed the bridge exercise independently, relying on proprioception to control the elasticity of the band. The instructor-led group received guidance from an instructor with over ten years of Pilates experience, using visual, auditory, and tactile feedback, while performing the same exercises. Both groups performed the bridge exercise twice a week for four weeks, for a total of six sets of 10 repetitions, with one-minute rest periods between sets.
Subjects in each group performed the bridge exercise using the same method. Trunk muscle activity and physical function were measured using the ExoFit exercise capacity assessment device before, 30 minutes after, two weeks after, and four weeks after the exercise. Physical function measures included lower extremity muscle function, balance, and postural alignment. The effects of each exercise period were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA. Differences between groups based on exercise duration were analyzed using a repeated-measures ANOVA.
Study Results: Rectus abdominis activity decreased in the band group and increased in the instructor-led group, depending on the duration of exercise. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups based on the duration of exercise. Hamstring activity increased in both groups, and there was no significant difference between the two groups based on the duration of exercise. Regarding rectus abdominis symmetry, the band group showed an increase in the mean value, while the hamstrings showed a statistically significant increase (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups based on the duration of exercise. Hamstring symmetry decreased in the mean value, and there was no significant difference between the two groups. The strength score of the quadriceps femoris muscle did not differ between the groups based on the duration of exercise, but the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (p<0.05). The muscular endurance score of the quadriceps femoris group did not differ between the two groups based on the duration of exercise. The mean value of quadriceps muscle fatigue decreased in each group according to the exercise period, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (p<0.05). There was no difference in the left-right symmetry of the quadriceps group between the two groups according to the exercise period. In the comparison of balance performance ability according to the exercise period, the mean value of the band group decreased statistically significantly (p<0.05), while the mean value of the instructor-led group did not change. The two groups showed a statistically significant difference (p<0.05). The one-leg stance score showed a decrease in the mean value in both groups, and the difference between the two groups was not significant. The result of the trunk flexibility among postural alignment according to the exercise period showed an increase in the mean value in both groups, and the difference between the two groups was not significant. Pelvic alignment scores along the X, Y, and Z axes were analyzed according to exercise duration. Significant differences were observed in the X and Y axes, but no significant differences were observed between the two groups. Z-axis alignment decreased significantly in the instructor-led group (p<0.05), but no significant differences were observed between the two groups. Pelvic range of motion increased in both groups over time, but no significant differences were observed between the two groups.
Conclusion: This study aimed to investigate the effects of visual and auditory feedback provided by an instructor and proprioceptive feedback based on elastic bands on physical functions such as trunk muscle activity, lower extremity muscle function, balance performance, and postural alignment during bridge exercise. Both groups exhibited positive effects over time, but no significant differences were observed between the two groups. Considering the instructor-led group's increased hamstring symmetry, decreased quadriceps strength scores in both groups, decreased quadriceps fatigue in the band group, improved balance performance, and improved pelvic posture, it seems that comprehensive and integrated feedback, including visual, auditory, tactile, and proprioceptive senses, is necessary for complete learning of the bridge exercise.
Considering the limitations of this study, which targeted women in their 20s and the insufficient training period, exercise education using diverse feedback is necessary to achieve maximum exercise benefits through accurate bridge exercise.