Article: Creation of an asymmetrical gradient of back muscle activity and spinal stiffness during asymmetrical hip extension

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TitleCreation of an asymmetrical gradient of back muscle activity and spinal stiffness during asymmetrical hip extension
AuthorsHu, Y1
Wong, YL1 3
Lu, WW1
Kawchuk, GN2
Issue Date2009
PublisherPergamon. The Journal's web site is located at http://www.elsevier.com/locate/clinbiomech
CitationClinical Biomechanics, 2009, v. 24 n. 10, p. 799-806 [How to Cite?]
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2009.07.013
AbstractBackground: Low back pain is often associated with increased spinal stiffness which thought to arise from increased muscle activity. Unfortunately, the association between paraspinal muscle activity and paraspinal stiffness, as well as the spatial distribution of this relation, is unknown. The purpose of this investigation was to employ new technological developments to determine the relation between spinal muscle contraction and spinal stiffness over a large region of the lumbar spine. Methods: Thirty-two male subjects performed graded isometric prone right hip extension at four different exertion levels (0%, 10%, 25% and 50% of the maximum voluntary contraction) to induce asymmetric back muscle activity. The corresponding stiffness and muscle activity over bilateral paraspinal lumbar regions was measured by indentation loading and topography surface electromyography, respectively. Paraspinal stiffness and muscle activity were then plotted and their correlation was determined. Findings: Data from this study demonstrated the existence of an asymmetrical gradient in muscle activation and paraspinal stiffness in the lumbar spine during isometric prone right hip extension. The magnitude and scale of the gradient increased with the contraction force. A positive correlation between paraspinal stiffness and paraspinal muscle activity existed irrespective of the hip extension effort (Pearson correlation coefficient, range 0.566-0.782 (P < 0.001)). Interpretation: Our results demonstrate the creation of an asymmetrical gradient of muscle activity and paraspinal stiffness during right hip extension. Future studies will determine if alterations in this gradient may possess diagnostic or prognostic value for patients with low back pain. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd.
ISSN0268-0033
2011 Impact Factor: 2.071
2011 SCImago Journal Rankings: 0.106
DOIhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2009.07.013
ReferencesReferences in Scopus
DC Field
Value
dc.contributor.authorHu, Y
dc.contributor.authorWong, YL
dc.contributor.authorLu, WW
dc.contributor.authorKawchuk, GN
dc.date.accessioned2012-10-30T06:05:37Z
dc.date.available2012-10-30T06:05:37Z
dc.date.issued2009
dc.description.abstractBackground: Low back pain is often associated with increased spinal stiffness which thought to arise from increased muscle activity. Unfortunately, the association between paraspinal muscle activity and paraspinal stiffness, as well as the spatial distribution of this relation, is unknown. The purpose of this investigation was to employ new technological developments to determine the relation between spinal muscle contraction and spinal stiffness over a large region of the lumbar spine. Methods: Thirty-two male subjects performed graded isometric prone right hip extension at four different exertion levels (0%, 10%, 25% and 50% of the maximum voluntary contraction) to induce asymmetric back muscle activity. The corresponding stiffness and muscle activity over bilateral paraspinal lumbar regions was measured by indentation loading and topography surface electromyography, respectively. Paraspinal stiffness and muscle activity were then plotted and their correlation was determined. Findings: Data from this study demonstrated the existence of an asymmetrical gradient in muscle activation and paraspinal stiffness in the lumbar spine during isometric prone right hip extension. The magnitude and scale of the gradient increased with the contraction force. A positive correlation between paraspinal stiffness and paraspinal muscle activity existed irrespective of the hip extension effort (Pearson correlation coefficient, range 0.566-0.782 (P < 0.001)). Interpretation: Our results demonstrate the creation of an asymmetrical gradient of muscle activity and paraspinal stiffness during right hip extension. Future studies will determine if alterations in this gradient may possess diagnostic or prognostic value for patients with low back pain. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd.
dc.description.natureLink_to_subscribed_fulltext
dc.identifier.citationClinical Biomechanics, 2009, v. 24 n. 10, p. 799-806 [How to Cite?]
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2009.07.013
dc.identifier.citeulike5636315
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2009.07.013
dc.identifier.epage806
dc.identifier.issn0268-0033
2011 Impact Factor: 2.071
2011 SCImago Journal Rankings: 0.106
dc.identifier.issue10
dc.identifier.pmid19699565
dc.identifier.scopuseid_2-s2.0-70349863377
dc.identifier.spage799
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10722/170149
dc.identifier.volume24
dc.languageeng
dc.publisherPergamon. The Journal's web site is located at http://www.elsevier.com/locate/clinbiomech
dc.publisher.placeUnited Kingdom
dc.relation.ispartofClinical Biomechanics
dc.relation.referencesReferences in Scopus
dc.subject.meshAdult
dc.subject.meshBiomechanics
dc.subject.meshElectromyography - Methods
dc.subject.meshEquipment Design
dc.subject.meshExercise Therapy - Methods
dc.subject.meshHip - Physiopathology
dc.subject.meshHumans
dc.subject.meshLow Back Pain - Physiopathology - Rehabilitation
dc.subject.meshLumbar Vertebrae
dc.subject.meshLumbosacral Region - Physiology
dc.subject.meshMale
dc.subject.meshMuscle Fatigue
dc.subject.meshMuscle, Skeletal - Metabolism - Pathology - Physiopathology
dc.subject.meshSpine
dc.subject.meshWeight-Bearing
dc.titleCreation of an asymmetrical gradient of back muscle activity and spinal stiffness during asymmetrical hip extension
dc.typeArticle
Author Affiliations
  1. The University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine
  2. University of Alberta
  3. Queen Elizabeth Hospital Hong Kong