Lumbopelvic kinematics and trunk muscle activity during sitting on stable and unstable surfaces.
METHODS
A single-group comparative study.


OBJECTIVE
To compare lumbopelvic kinematics and muscle activation patterns while sitting on stable and unstable surfaces.


BACKGROUND
Unstable surfaces are commonly used during the rehabilitation of certain low back pain disorders. The benefits postulated are increased muscle activity and facilitation of sustainable midrange positions via neuromuscular control. The use of unstable sitting devices in the workplace is controversial, as the postulated increase in muscle activity is thought to lead to a muscle fatigue/pain response. However, little evidence exists for or against the ability of these devices to alleviate or prevent spinal pain.


METHODS
This study included 26 healthy adults (14 male, 12 female). Fastrak 3-dimensional motion analysis detected lumbar curvature, pelvic tilt, and postural sway during sitting on a stable and unstable surface over 5-minute periods. Surface electromyography was used to measure activity in the superficial lumbar multifidus, transverse fibers of internal oblique, and iliocostalis lumborum pars thoracis.


RESULTS
Spinal postures were similar for sitting on a stable and unstable surface. Significant increases in postural sway were detected (P = .013) in 3 dimensions of movement during sitting on an unstable surface. Gender differences were noted. No EMG amplitude or variance differences were detected between seating conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
Preliminary data show that sitting on unstable surfaces induces greater spinal motion, but does not significantly alter the lumbosacral posture nor the amount of activity in the superficial trunk muscles under investigation.
School of Physiotherapy, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Australia. P.OSullivan@curtin.edu.au
Peter
P
O'Sullivan
Wim
W
Dankaerts
Angus
A
Burnett
Leon
L
Straker
Gabriella
G
Bargon
Niamh
N
Moloney
Meredith
M
Perry
Sharon
S
Tsang
D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008161:Lumbosacral Region / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D010388:Pelvis / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D011187:Posture; D014904:Western Australia