| Summary: | This study aimed to investigate the influence of head position on the electromyographical activity of the core muscles during the prone plank exercise. Twenty healthy participants were enrolled in this study. Muscle activation was registered using surface electromyography in the rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, and the lumbar portion of erector spinae. Three plank conditions were randomly evaluated, varying the position of the cranio-cervical segment during the plank performance (<i>neutral</i>, <i>flexion</i> and <i>extension</i>). The activation of each individual examined muscle and the overall core muscle activity (Total Intensity), as well as the ratings of perceived exertion were analysed with statistical significance set at <i>p</i> < 0.05. <i>Flexion</i> revealed significantly higher Total Intensity values compared to <i>neutral</i> and <i>extension</i> (<i>p</i> < 0.001; effect size (ES) > 0.90). The rectus abdominis presented larger activation in <i>flexion</i> compared to the other variations (<i>p</i> < 0.05; ES > 0.70). <i>Flexion</i> elicited a greater response for both sides of external oblique when compared to <i>neutral</i> and <i>extension</i>, and also for both sides of internal oblique compared to the other conditions (<i>p</i> < 0.05; ES > 0.70). Both <i>flexion</i> and <i>extension</i> reported higher exertion rating values compared to <i>neutral</i> (<i>p</i> < 0.05; ES > 0.90). Head position influenced the electromyographical activation of core musculature, showing highest values when performing the plank in a head flexion.
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