Abdominal muscle activation increases lumbar spinal stability: Analysis of contributions of different muscle groups

Trunk stability exercises that focus on either deep or superficial muscles might produce different effects on lumbar segmental motion. This study compared outcomes in 34 lumbar instability patients in two exercises at 10 weeks and 12 months follow up. Participants were divided into either Core stabilization (deep) exercise, incorporating abdominal drawing-in maneuver technique (CSE with ADIM), or General strengthening (superficial) exercise (STE). Outcome measures were pain, muscle activation, and lumbar segmental motion. Participants in CSE with ADIM had significantly less pain than those in STE at 10 weeks. They showed significantly more improvement of abdominal muscle activity ratio than participants in STE at 10 weeks and 12 months follow-up. Participants in CSE with ADIM had significantly reduced sagittal translation at L4-L5 and L5-S1 compared with STE at 10 weeks. Participants in CSE with ADIM had significantly reduced sagittal translations at L4-L5 and L5-S1 compared with participants in STE at 10 weeks, whereas STE demonstrated significantly increased sagittal rotation at L4-L5. However, at 12 months follow-up, levels of lumbar sagittal translation were increased in both groups. CSE with ADIM which focuses on increasing deep trunk muscle activity can reduce lumbar segmental translation and should be recommended for lumbar instability.

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Development of an Apparatus for Bilateral Rhythmical Training of Arm Movement Via Linear and Elliptical Trajectories of Various Directions

Journal of Medical Devices ◽

10.1115/1.4027796 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Zlatko Matjačić ◽

Matjaž Zadravec ◽

Jakob Oblak

Keyword(s):

Muscle Activation ◽

Arm Movement ◽

Emg Activity ◽

Activation Patterns ◽

Muscle Activation Patterns ◽

Arm Cycling ◽

Arm Reaching ◽

Direction Of Movement ◽

Muscle Groups ◽

Neurologically Intact

Clinical rehabilitation of individuals with various neurological disorders requires a significant number of movement repetitions in order to improve coordination and restoration of appropriate muscle activation patterns. Arm reaching movement is frequently practiced via motorized arm cycling ergometers where the trajectory of movement is circular thus providing means for practicing a single and rather nonfunctional set of muscle activation patterns, which is a significant limitation. We have developed a novel mechanism that in the combination with an existing arm ergometer device enables nine different movement modalities/trajectories ranging from purely circular trajectory to four elliptical and four linear trajectories where the direction of movement may be varied. The main objective of this study was to test a hypothesis stating that different movement modalities facilitate differences in muscle activation patterns as a result of varying shape and direction of movement. Muscle activation patterns in all movement modalities were assessed in a group of neurologically intact individuals in the form of recording the electromyographic (EMG) activity of four selected muscle groups of the shoulder and the elbow. Statistical analysis of the root mean square (RMS) values of resulting EMG signals have shown that muscle activation patterns corresponding to each of the nine movement modalities significantly differ in order to accommodate to variation of the trajectories shape and direction. Further, we assessed muscle activation patterns following the same protocol in a selected clinical case of hemiparesis. These results have shown the ability of the selected case subject to produce different muscle activation patterns as a response to different movement modalities which show some resemblance to those assessed in the group of neurologically intact individuals. The results of the study indicate that the developed device may significantly extend the scope of strength and coordination training in stroke rehabilitation which is in current clinical rehabilitation practice done through arm cycling.

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Alterations in muscle activation patterns during robot-assisted bilateral training: A pilot study

Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part H Journal of Engineering in Medicine ◽

10.1177/0954411918819115 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 233 (2) ◽

pp. 219-231 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Bo Sheng ◽

Lihua Tang ◽

Shengquan Xie ◽

Chao Deng ◽

Yanxin Zhang

Keyword(s):

Muscle Activation ◽

Interaction Force ◽

Robot Assisted ◽

Activation Patterns ◽

Recovery Processes ◽

Muscle Activation Patterns ◽

Bilateral Training ◽

Muscle Groups ◽

Highly Correlated ◽

Training Protocols

Robot-assisted bilateral training is being developed as a new rehabilitation approach for stroke patients. However, there is still a lack of understanding of muscle functions when performing robot-assisted synchronous movements. The aim of this work is to explore the muscle activation patterns and the voluntary effort of participants during different robot-assisted bilateral training protocols. To this end, 10 healthy participants were recruited to take part in a 60-minute experiment. The experiment included two different bilateral exercises, and each exercise contained four different training protocols. Trajectories of the robots, interaction force and surface electromyogram signals were recorded during training. The results show that the robots do affect the muscle activation patterns during different training protocols and exercises rather than the controller. Specifically, the activity of muscles is reduced in robot-assisted training but is increased in active force involved robot-assisted training when compared to robot-unassisted training. Meanwhile, the voluntary effort of participants can be presented by the adjusted trajectories via the controller. In addition, the results also suggest that the activations for the same muscle groups in the left and right arms are highly correlated with each other in both exercises. Furthermore, the training protocols and methods developed in this work could be further extended in future clinical trials to investigate therapeutic outcomes for patients as well as to better understand bilateral recovery processes.

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A COMPARISON OF ABDOMINAL MUSCLE ACTIVATION, STRENGTH AND ENDURANCE IN WOMEN WITH FULL-TERM BIRTH EXPERIENCE AND NULLIPAROUS WOMEN

Journal of Biomechanics ◽

10.1016/s0021-9290(07)70716-9 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 40 ◽

pp. S728

Author(s):

L-J Liaw ◽

M-F Liu ◽

A-T Hsu ◽

S-M Liu ◽

S-F Hsiao

Keyword(s):

Muscle Activation ◽

Abdominal Muscle ◽

Full Term ◽

Birth Experience ◽

Term Birth ◽

Nulliparous Women

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Have Studies that Measure Lumbar Kinematics and Muscle Activity Concurrently during Sagittal Bending Improved Understanding of Spinal Stability and Sub-System Interactions? A Systematic Review

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare6030112 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 112 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Alister du Rose

Keyword(s):

Neural Control ◽

Small Sample ◽

Spinal Stability ◽

Functional Movement ◽

Multiple Systems ◽

Complex Interactions ◽

Motion Segment ◽

Small Sample Sizes ◽

New Research ◽

Lumbar Spinal

In order to improve understanding of the complex interactions between spinal sub-systems (i.e., the passive (ligaments, discs, fascia and bones), the active (muscles and tendons) and the neural control systems), it is necessary to take a dynamic approach that incorporates the measurement of multiple systems concurrently. There are currently no reviews of studies that have investigated dynamic sagittal bending movements using a combination of electromyography (EMG) and lumbar kinematic measurements. As such it is not clear how understanding of spinal stability concepts has advanced with regards to this functional movement of the spine. The primary aim of this review was therefore to evaluate how such studies have contributed to improved understanding of lumbar spinal stability mechanisms. PubMed and Cochrane databases were searched using combinations of the keywords related to spinal stability and sagittal bending tasks, using strict inclusion and exclusion criteria and adhering to PRISMA guidelines. Whilst examples of the interactions between the passive and active sub-systems were shown, typically small sample sizes meant that results were not generalizable. The majority of studies used regional kinematic measurements, and whilst this was appropriate in terms of individual study aims, the studies could not provide insight into sub-system interaction at the level of the spinal motion segment. In addition, the heterogeneity in methodologies made comparison between studies difficult. The review suggests that since Panjabi’s seminal spinal control papers, only limited advancement in the understanding of these theories has been provided by the studies under review, particularly at an inter-segmental level. This lack of progression indicates a requirement for new research approaches that incorporate multiple system measurements at a motion segment level.

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Reflexive Response of Neck Muscle to Sudden Perturbation after Prolonged Smartphone Use

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting ◽

10.1177/1071181321651085 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 65 (1) ◽

pp. 1250-1253

Author(s):

Eunjee Kim ◽

Donghyun Song ◽

Dasom Park ◽

Hyorim Kim ◽

Gwanseob Shin

Keyword(s):

Cervical Spine ◽

Muscle Activation ◽

Neck Muscle ◽

Spinal Stability ◽

Delayed Onset ◽

Activation Level ◽

Before And After ◽

Smartphone Use ◽

Head Stability ◽

Passive Stretch

Prolonged smartphone use induces passive stretch of neck tissues and muscle fatigue, affecting spinal stability and pain. It is necessary to evaluate the effect of smartphone use on the reflexive response to detect the changes in neck tissues and head stability. A laboratory experiment (n=10) was conducted to investigate the reflexive response of neck muscle to perturbation after 30 minutes of smartphone use. Neck extensor muscle activation and its activation timing to perturbation were investigated before and after smartphone use. Head angle and muscle activation level were collected during smartphone use. During smartphone use, muscle activation gradually increased. After smartphone use, neck muscles showed a higher activation level and significantly delayed onset to perturbation. Smartphone use changed the reflexive response of the neck muscle. Further study is needed to investigate the association between smartphone use and neuromuscular changes to the tissues of the cervical spine.

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Muscle Activation in the Main Muscle Groups of the Lower Limbs in High-Level Dancesport Athletes

Medical Problems of Performing Artists ◽

10.21091/mppa.2018.4034 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 33 (4) ◽

pp. 231-237

Author(s):

Encarnación Liébana ◽

Cristina Monleón ◽

Raquel Morales ◽

Carlos Pablos ◽

Consuelo Moratal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tibialis Anterior ◽

Muscle Activation ◽

Rectus Femoris ◽

Biceps Femoris ◽

Lower Limbs ◽

Gastrocnemius Medialis ◽

Leg Muscles ◽

Relative Activation ◽

Muscle Groups ◽

High Level

Dancers are subjected to high-intensity workouts when they practice dancesport, and according to the literature, they are prone to injury, primarily of the lower limbs. The purpose of this study was to determine whether differences exist in relative activation amplitudes for dancers involved in dancesport due to muscle, gender, and type of dance. Measurements were carried out using surface electromyography equipment during the choreography of a performance in the following leg muscles: rectus femoris, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius medialis. Eight couples of active dancesport athletes (aged 20.50±2.75 yrs) were analyzed. Significant gender differences were found in rumba in the tibialis anterior (p≤0.05) and gastrocnemius medialis (p≤0.05). Based on the different activations, it is possible to establish possible mechanisms of injury, as well as tools for preventing injuries and improving sports performance.

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Lumbar Spinal Stability: Decision Making

Spine Trauma ◽

10.1007/978-3-642-03694-1_22 ◽

2010 ◽

pp. 263-270

Author(s):

George M. Whaba ◽

Nitin N. Bhatia

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Spinal Stability ◽

Lumbar Spinal

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Differential timing of respiratory muscles in response to chemical stimuli in awake dogs

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/jappl.1989.66.1.392 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 66 (1) ◽

pp. 392-399 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

C. A. Smith ◽

D. M. Ainsworth ◽

K. S. Henderson ◽

J. A. Dempsey

Keyword(s):

Muscle Activation ◽

Respiratory Muscles ◽

Abdominal Muscle ◽

Transversus Abdominis ◽

Inspiratory Time ◽

Expiratory Muscle ◽

Inspiratory Activity ◽

Chemical Stimuli ◽

Crural Diaphragm ◽

Differential Timing

We assessed changes in respiratory muscle timing in response to hyperpnea and shortened inspiratory and expiratory times caused by chemoreceptor stimuli in six awake dogs. Durations of postinspiratory inspiratory activity of costal and crural diaphragm (PIIA), the delay in diaphragm electromyogram (EMG) after the initiation of inspiratory airflow, postexpiratory expiratory activity of the transversus abdominis (PEEA), and the delay of abdominal expiratory muscle activity after the initiation of expiratory airflow were measured. In control, four out of six dogs showed PIIA [8–10% of expiratory time (TE)]; all showed delay of diaphragm [19% of inspiratory time (TI)], delay of abdominal muscle activation (21% of TE), and PEEA (24% of TI). Hypercapnia decreased PIIA (4–9% of TE), maintained diaphragm delay at near control values (23% of TI), increased PEEA (36% of TI), eliminated delay of abdominal muscle activation (4% of TE), and decreased end-expiratory lung volume (EELV). Hypocapnic hypoxia increased PIIA (24–25% of TE), eliminated diaphragm delay (3% of TI), eliminated PEEA (3% of TI), reduced delay of abdominal muscle activation (14% of TE), and increased EELV. Most of these effects of hypoxic hypocapnia vs. hypercapnia on the within-breath EMG timing parameters corresponded to differences in the magnitude of expiratory muscle activation. These changes exerted significant influences on flow rates and EELV.

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