title: Determination of the motor unit behavior of lumbar erector spinae muscles through surface EMG decomposition technology in healthy female subjects.
abstract: The aims of this study were to determine the motor unit behavior of the erector spinae muscles and to assess whether differences exist between the dominant/nondominant sides of the back muscles.
  
  
  
  Nine healthy women, aged 21.7 years (SD = 0.7), performed a back extension test. Surface electromyographic decomposition data were collected from both sides of the erector spinae and decomposed into individual motor unit action potential trains. The mean firing rate for each motor unit was calculated, and a regression analysis was performed against the corresponding recruitment thresholds.
  
  
  
  The mean firing rate ranged from 15.9 to 23.9 pps and 15.8 to 20.6 pps on the dominant and nondominant sides, respectively. However, the early motor unit potentials of the nondominant lumbar erector spinae muscles were recruited at a lower firing rate.
  
  
  
  This technique may further our understanding of individuals with back pain and other underlying neuromuscular diseases. Muscle Nerve 55: 28-34, 2017.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biomechanics and Clinical Epidemiology, PAIFIT Research Group, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mariana Felipe
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biomechanics and Clinical Epidemiology, PAIFIT Research Group, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Josilainne Marcelino
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biomechanics and Clinical Epidemiology, PAIFIT Research Group, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ligia Maxwell
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.affiliation: Allied Health Research Unit, University Central of Lancashire, Preston, Lancashire, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Bruno Fles
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Mazuquin
authors.affiliation: Allied Health Research Unit, University Central of Lancashire, Preston, Lancashire, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lindley
authors.affiliation: Allied Health Research Unit, University Central of Lancashire, Preston, Lancashire, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Jim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biomechanics and Clinical Epidemiology, PAIFIT Research Group, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jefferson Rosa
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Cardoso
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004576:Electromyography; D019054:Evoked Potentials, Motor / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D008161:Lumbosacral Region; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D064170:Paraspinal Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: action potential; electromyography; erector spinae muscles; isometric exertion; motor units; muscle fibers