Activation characteristics of trunk muscles during cyclic upper-body perturbations caused by an oscillating pole.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of a new device on trunk muscle activation.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey of trunk muscle activation characteristics.


METHODS
Physiologic laboratory at university institute.


METHODS
Thirty healthy subjects (15 men, 15 women) were recruited from a university campus.


METHODS
A simple flexible pole that applies rapidly alternating forces on the trunk when set into motion was used. The device was held horizontally in both hands, in front of the body. It was used at 3 different oscillation frequencies (3, 3.5, 4.5 Hz), in horizontal and vertical plane, respectively.


METHODS
Surface electromyography of 5 trunk muscles was measured and the data were normalized according to relative cycle time. Time dependent (amplitude curve) and time independent (mean amplitude over cycle) parameters were used for analysis.


RESULTS
Rectus abdominis and external oblique muscle amplitudes were directly proportional with oscillation frequency (analysis of variance), and these effects were independent of sex. Multifidus amplitude levels were subject to oscillation plane with increased levels for vertical oscillation in men but not in the women. All abdominal muscles exhibited continuous activation pattern, independent of oscillation plane. Back muscles changed from a continuous activation in horizontal plane into similarly phasic patterns in vertical oscillation plane. The occurring amplitude peak moved forward in relative cycle with increasing oscillation frequency.


CONCLUSIONS
Back muscle activation patterns were subject to oscillation plane. Abdominal muscle activation was independent from oscillation frequency and oscillation plane. These normative data may be used to identify disturbed trunk muscle coordination patterns and to control success of functional restoration during rehabilitation interventions of back pain patients.
Anders
Christoph
C
Clinic for Trauma-, Hand- and Reconstructive Surgery, Division for Motor Research, Pathophysiology and Biomechanics, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany. christoph.anders@med.uni-jena.de
Wenzel
Beatrix
B
Scholle
Hans C
HC
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004576:Electromyography; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011999:Recruitment, Neurophysiological; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis