scholarly journals Intermittent short-arm centrifugation is a partially effective countermeasure against upright balance deterioration following 60-day head-down tilt bed rest

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enrico De Martino ◽  
Sauro Emerick Salomoni ◽  
Paul W. Hodges ◽  
Julie Hides ◽  
Kirsty Lindsay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bed Rest ◽  
Standing Balance ◽  
Erector Spinae ◽  
Transversus Abdominis ◽  
Trunk Muscles ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Gravitational Unloading ◽  
Frequency Power ◽  
Sway Frequency

This study investigated whether artificial gravity (AG), induced by short-radius centrifugation, mitigated deterioration in standing balance and anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) of trunk muscles following 60-day head-down tilt bed rest. Twenty-four participants were allocated to one of three groups: control group (N=8); 30 minutes continuous AG daily (N=8); intermittent 6x5 minutes AG daily (N=8). Before and immediately after bed rest, standing balance was assessed in four conditions: eyes open and closed on both stable and foam surfaces. Measures including sway path, root-mean-square, and peak sway velocity, sway area, sway frequency power, and sway density curve were extracted from the centre of pressure displacement. APAs were assessed during rapid arm movements using intramuscular or surface electromyography electrodes of the rectus abdominis, obliquus externus and internus abdominis, transversus abdominis, erector spinae at L1, L2, L3, and L4 vertebral levels, and deep lumbar multifidus muscles. The relative latency between the EMG onset of the deltoid and each of the trunk muscles was calculated. All three groups had poorer balance performance in most of the parameters (all P<0.05) and delayed APAs of the trunk muscles following bed rest (all P<0.05). Sway path and sway velocity were deteriorated, and sway frequency power was less in those who received intermittent AG than in the control group (all P<0.05), particularly in conditions with reduced proprioceptive feedback. These data highlight the potential of intermittent AG to mitigate deterioration of some aspects of postural control induced by gravitational unloading, but no protective effects on trunk muscle responses were observed.

scholarly journals Effects of Prolonged Sitting with Slumped Posture on Trunk Muscular Fatigue in Adolescents with and without Chronic Lower Back Pain

Medicina ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 3
Author(s):  
Kyoung-Sim Jung ◽  
Jin-Hwa Jung ◽  
Tae-Sung In ◽  
Hwi-Young Cho
Keyword(s):  
Back Pain ◽  
Lower Back Pain ◽  
Transversus Abdominis ◽  
Muscular Fatigue ◽  
Trunk Muscles ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Chronic Lower Back Pain ◽  
Median Frequency ◽  
Prolonged Sitting ◽  
Lower Back

Background and Objectives: This study investigated the effects of prolonged sitting on trunk muscular fatigue and discomfort in participants with and without chronic lower back pain (LBP). Material and Methods: This study included 15 patients with LBP and 15 healthy controls. All participants were instructed to sit on a height-adjustable chair with their knee and hip joints bent at 90° for 30 min, in slumped sitting postures. Surface electromyography was used to assess the median frequency of the internal obliques (IO)/transversus abdominis (TrA) and multifidus (MF) muscles. Perceived discomfort was measured using a Borg category ratio-scale. Median frequency of the trunk muscles and perceived discomfort after 30 min of sitting were compared with baseline. Result: There were no significant differences within the group and between both groups in the median frequency of bilateral IO and MF muscles. The LBP group showed significantly greater perceived discomfort after prolonged sitting, as compared to the control group. Conclusions: Prolonged sitting with slumped posture could increase the risk of experiencing lower back discomfort.

scholarly journals Effect of real-time ultrasound imaging for biofeedback on trunk muscle contraction in healthy subjects: a preliminary study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shanshan Lin ◽  
Bo Zhu ◽  
Yiyi Zheng ◽  
Guozhi Huang ◽  
Qing Zeng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Contraction ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Ultrasound Imaging ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Transversus Abdominis ◽  
Trunk Muscles ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Visual Biofeedback ◽  
Preliminary Study ◽  
Experimental Group

Abstract Background: Real-time ultrasound imaging (RUSI) has been increasingly used as a form of biofeedback when instructing and re-training muscle contraction. However, the effectiveness of the RUSI on a single sustained contraction of the lumbar multifidus (LM) and transversus abdominis (TrA) has rarely been reported. This preliminary study aimed to determine if the use of RUSI, as visual biofeedback, could enhance the ability of activation and continuous contraction of the trunk muscles including LM and TrA.Methods: Forty healthy individuals were included and randomly assigned into the experimental group and control group. All subjects performed a preferential activation of the LM and/or TrA (maintained the constraction of LM and/or TrA for 30 seconds and then relaxed for two minutes), while those in the experimental group also received visual feedback provided by RUSI. The thickness of LM and/or TrA at rest and during contraction (Tc-max, T15s, and T30s) were extracted and recorded. The experiment was repeated three times.Results: No significant differences were found in the thickness of LM at rest (P > 0.999), Tc-max (P > 0.999), and T15s (P = 0.414) between the two groups. However, the ability to recruit LM muscle contraction differed between groups at T30s (P = 0.006), with subjects in the experimental group that received visual ultrasound biofeedback maintaining a relative maximum contraction. Besides, no significant differences were found in the TrA muscle thickness at rest (P > 0.999) and Tc-max (P > 0.999) between the two groups. However, significant differences of contraction thickness were found at T15s (P = 0.031) and T30s (P = 0.010) between the two groups during the Abdominal Drawing-in Maneuver (ADIM), with greater TrA muscle contraction thickness in the experimental group.Conclusions: RUSI can be used to provide visual biofeedback, which can promote continuous contraction, and improve the ability to activate the LM and TrA muscles in healthy subjects.

scholarly journals Changes in intra-abdominal pressure during postural and respiratory activation of the human diaphragm

2000 ◽  
Vol 89 (3) ◽  
pp. 967-976 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul W. Hodges ◽  
Simon C. Gandevia
Keyword(s):  
Abdominal Cavity ◽  
Limb Movement ◽  
Erector Spinae ◽  
Transversus Abdominis ◽  
Trunk Muscles ◽  
Abdominal Pressure ◽  
Abdominal Muscles ◽  
Electromyographic Activity ◽  
Repetitive Movement ◽  
The Stability

In humans, when the stability of the trunk is challenged in a controlled manner by repetitive movement of a limb, activity of the diaphragm becomes tonic but is also modulated at the frequency of limb movement. In addition, the tonic activity is modulated by respiration. This study investigated the mechanical output of these components of diaphragm activity. Recordings were made of costal diaphragm, abdominal, and erector spinae muscle electromyographic activity; intra-abdominal, intrathoracic, and transdiaphragmatic pressures; and motion of the rib cage, abdomen, and arm. During limb movement the diaphragm and transversus abdominis were tonically active with added phasic modulation at the frequencies of both respiration and limb movement. Activity of the other trunk muscles was not modulated by respiration. Intra-abdominal pressure was increased during the period of limb movement in proportion to the reactive forces from the movement. These results show that coactivation of the diaphragm and abdominal muscles causes a sustained increase in intra-abdominal pressure, whereas inspiration and expiration are controlled by opposing activity of the diaphragm and abdominal muscles to vary the shape of the pressurized abdominal cavity.

scholarly journals Muscle Imbalance Among Elite Australian Rules Football Players: A Longitudinal Study of Changes in Trunk Muscle Size

2012 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 314-319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Hides ◽  
Warren Stanton
Keyword(s):  
Total Sample ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Erector Spinae ◽  
Transversus Abdominis ◽  
Trunk Muscles ◽  
Muscle Size ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Australian Rules Football ◽  
Australian Football

Context: Trunk muscles, such as the transversus abdominis (TrA) and multifidus, play a key role in lumbopelvic stability, which is important in athletic performance. Asymmetry or imbalance in these and other trunk muscles could result from the specific requirements of the game of Australian rules football. Objective: To determine whether seasonal variations in the sizes of key trunk muscles associated with lumbopelvic stability occur in Australian Football League players. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Hospital. Patients or Other Participants: The number of players eligible to participate at each of the 4 time points was 36 at the start of preseason 1 (T1), 31 at end of season 1 (T2), 43 at the end of preseason 2 (T3), and 41 at the start of preseason 3 (T4). The group with data at all 4 time points (n  =  20) was used in the analyses and was shown to be representative of the total sample. Intervention(s): Magnetic resonance imaging was used to determine the cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of the multifidus (vertebral levels L2 to L5) and lumbar erector spinae (LES) muscles (L3), as well as the thickness of the TrA and internal oblique (IO) muscles at L3. Main Outcome Measure(s): Cross-sectional areas of the multifidus and LES muscles and thickness of the TrA and IO muscles. Results: By the end of the playing season, results showed 11.1% atrophy for multifidus CSA at L3 and 21% atrophy for TrA thickness at rest. In comparison, the CSA of the LES muscles increased by 3.6%, and the thickness of the IO muscle increased by 11.8% compared with the start of the preseason. Conclusions: The results indicated an imbalance of the key muscles associated with lumbopelvic stability.

scholarly journals Effect of real-time ultrasound imaging for biofeedback on trunk muscle contraction in healthy subjects: a preliminary study

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shanshan Lin ◽  
Bo Zhu ◽  
Yiyi Zheng ◽  
Guozhi Huang ◽  
Qi Zeng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Contraction ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Ultrasound Imaging ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Transversus Abdominis ◽  
Trunk Muscles ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Visual Biofeedback ◽  
Preliminary Study ◽  
Experimental Group

Abstract Background Real-time ultrasound imaging (RUSI) has been increasingly used as a form of biofeedback when instructing and re-training muscle contraction. However, the effectiveness of the RUSI on a single sustained contraction of the lumbar multifidus (LM) and transversus abdominis (TrA) has rarely been reported. This preliminary study aimed to determine if the use of RUSI, as visual biofeedback, could enhance the ability of activation and continuous contraction of the trunk muscles including LM and TrA. Methods Forty healthy individuals were included and randomly assigned into the experimental group and control group. All subjects performed a preferential activation of the LM and/or TrA (maintained the constraction of LM and/or TrA for 30 s and then relaxed for 2 min), while those in the experimental group also received visual feedback provided by RUSI. The thickness of LM and/or TrA at rest and during contraction (Tc-max, T15s, and T30s) were extracted and recorded. The experiment was repeated three times. Results No significant differences were found in the thickness of LM at rest (P > 0.999), Tc-max (P > 0.999), and T15s (P = 0.414) between the two groups. However, the ability to recruit LM muscle contraction differed between groups at T30s (P = 0.006), with subjects in the experimental group that received visual ultrasound biofeedback maintaining a relative maximum contraction. Besides, no significant differences were found in the TrA muscle thickness at rest (P > 0.999) and Tc-max (P > 0.999) between the two groups. However, significant differences of contraction thickness were found at T15s (P = 0.031) and T30s (P = 0.010) between the two groups during the Abdominal Drawing-in Maneuver (ADIM), with greater TrA muscle contraction thickness in the experimental group. Conclusions RUSI can be used to provide visual biofeedback, which can promote continuous contraction, and improve the ability to activate the LM and TrA muscles in healthy subjects.

scholarly journals Effect of Direct Vibration on the Activity of Deep Trunk Muscles of Patients with Non-specific Chronic Low Back Pain

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nackhwan Kim ◽  
Soo Hoon Yoon ◽  
Minhee Kim ◽  
Sang-heon Lee ◽  
Dong Hee Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Chronic Low Back Pain ◽  
Exercise Group ◽  
Erector Spinae ◽  
Transversus Abdominis ◽  
Trunk Muscles ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Stabilization Exercise ◽  
Direct Vibration

Abstract Background: We used two methods, direct and indirect, to study the application of vibration training. This pilot study aimed to investigate the short-term effect of direct vibration and spinal stabilization exercises on the deep trunk muscles of patients with non-specific chronic low back pain (CLBP). Methods: Sixty-two participants with non-specific CLBP were randomly placed into two groups, one with direct vibration to the trunk muscles, VSE (vibration-plus stabilization exercise) group, and one without, CSE (conventional stabilization exercise) group. The groups underwent twelve sessions of an exercise program for spinal stability. We measured the thickness and activity of the following trunk muscles using ultrasonography and surface electromyography (sEMG): transversus abdominis (TrA), external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO), rectus abdominis (RA), lumbar multifidus (LM), and lumbar erector spinae (LES). Results: The ultrasonographic examination revealed that the ratio of muscle thickness to muscle contraction and relaxation was increased after training in the TrA and LM muscles of patients in the CSE group, and in the TrA, LM, and IO muscles in the VSE group. We also found that the LM/LES ratio in the CSE group and the IO/RA, TrA/RA, and LM/LES ratios in the VSE group were significantly increased. Using multiple regression analysis, we showed that the improvement of the symptoms was related to increased activity of the deep trunk muscles in the VSE group (p<0.05).Conclusion: The findings suggest that direct vibration on the trunk muscles may increase the activity of contracting deep muscles and be used in addition to the effective enhancement of stabilization exercise in patients with non-specific CLBP.Trial registration: KCT0003858. Registered 26 April 2019.

scholarly journals WISE 2005: Aerobic and resistive countermeasures prevent paraspinal muscle deconditioning during 60-day bed rest in women

2016 ◽  
Vol 120 (10) ◽  
pp. 1215-1222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacquelyn A. Holt ◽  
Brandon R. Macias ◽  
Suzanne M. Schneider ◽  
Donald E. Watenpaugh ◽  
Stuart M. C. Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lower Body Negative Pressure ◽  
Bed Rest ◽  
Exercise Group ◽  
Erector Spinae ◽  
Paraspinal Muscle ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Spine Function ◽  
Muscle Cross Sectional Area

Microgravity-induced lumbar paraspinal muscle deconditioning may contribute to back pain commonly experienced by astronauts and may increase the risk of postflight injury. We hypothesized that a combined resistive and aerobic exercise countermeasure protocol that included spinal loading would mitigate lumbar paraspinal muscle deconditioning during 60 days of bed rest in women. Sixteen women underwent 60-day, 6° head-down-tilt bed rest (BR) and were randomized into control and exercise groups. During bed rest the control group performed no exercise. The exercise group performed supine treadmill exercise within lower body negative pressure (LBNP) for 3-4 days/wk and flywheel resistive exercise for 2–3 days/wk. Paraspinal muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) was measured using a lumbar spine MRI sequence before and after BR. In addition, isokinetic spinal flexion and extension strengths were measured before and after BR. Data are presented as means ± SD. Total lumbar paraspinal muscle CSA decreased significantly more in controls (10.9 ± 3.4%) than in exercisers (4.3 ± 3.4%; P < 0.05). The erector spinae was the primary contributor (76%) to total lumbar paraspinal muscle loss. Moreover, exercise attenuated isokinetic spinal extension loss (−4.3 ± 4.5%), compared with controls (−16.6 ± 11.2%; P < 0.05). In conclusion, LBNP treadmill and flywheel resistive exercises during simulated microgravity mitigate decrements in lumbar paraspinal muscle structure and spine function. Therefore spaceflight exercise countermeasures that attempt to reproduce spinal loads experienced on Earth may mitigate spinal deconditioning during long-duration space travel.

scholarly journals Effects of Different Sling Settings on Electromyographic Activities of Selected Trunk Muscles: A Preliminary Research

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Li ◽  
Howe Liu ◽  
Ke-yu Lin ◽  
Ping Miao ◽  
Bao-feng Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Erector Spinae ◽  
Transversus Abdominis ◽  
Trunk Muscles ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Lumbar Region ◽  
Mean Power ◽  
Mean Power Frequency ◽  
Effective Measure ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Dominant Side

Introduction. The supine and prone sling exercise may facilitate activation of the local trunk muscles. Does the side-lying sling exercise activate trunk muscles more easily than the supine and prone training with sling settings? Clinical work has shown that the side-lying sling exercise could reduce pain in patients with unilateral low back pain (LBP), but the mechanism behind it is unclear. The fundamental purpose of this preliminary study was to examine the electromyography (EMG) characteristics of trunk muscles during different sling lumbar settings on sixteen healthy adults. Methods. Amplitude and mean power frequency (MPF) of EMG signals were recorded from the transversus abdominis (TA), rectus abdominis (RA), multifidus (MF), erector spinae (ES), gluteus maximus (Gmax), and gluteus medius (Gmed) muscles while the subjects performed the supine lumbar setting (SLS), prone lumbar setting (PLS), left side-lying lumbar setting (LSLS), and right side-lying lumbar setting (RSLS). Results. During SLS and PLS, TA and MF showed significantly higher activity than RA and ES on the same side, respectively. The EMG activities of ES, TA, MF, Gmax, and Gmed had significant differences between the different sides during LSLS and RSLS, and the dominant-side muscles showed higher activity than the other side. There was no significant difference in core trunk muscles between different sling lumbar settings—only that the SLS of the MF/ES ratio was significantly higher than LSLS and RSLS. Conclusions. Sling exercises can be an effective measure to enhance MF and TA EMG activity, and the side-lying position can increase dominant-side Gmax and Gmed activity. Side-lying sling training does not activate more core muscles than the supine and prone training. Supine and prone exercise should be preferred over SLT to stabilize the lumbar region because of its high local/global muscle ratio.

A Study on Trunk Muscle Activation of 2 Deep Water Running Styles (High-Knee and Cross-Country Style) and Land Walking

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Billy Chun-Lung So ◽  
Calvin Hong-Nin Yuen ◽  
Ken Long-Hin Tung ◽  
Sheena Lam ◽  
Sammy Lan Cheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Deep Water ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Trunk Muscle ◽  
Erector Spinae ◽  
Transversus Abdominis ◽  
Trunk Muscles ◽  
Abdominal Muscles ◽  
Cross Country ◽  
Deep Water Running

Context: Deep water running (DWR) is an aquatic aerobic exercise which involves running in water without the feet touching the bottom of the pool, and it may involve different activation of trunk muscles compared with running or walking on land. This form of exercise is gradually being adopted as a form of therapeutic exercise for people with low back pain. It is proposed that different types of running or walking in water may be a more comfortable form of training for the trunk and abdominal muscles compared with exercising on dry land. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the trunk muscle activation in DWR in 2 different styles—high knee style and cross-country style, and these were compared with walking on land. Participants: Eleven healthy individuals (2 females and 9 males, mean age = 24 [4.6]) were recruited for this study. Outcome Measures: Surface electromyography was used to examine the activities of the right transversus abdominis, rectus abdominis, lumbar multifidus, and lumbar erector spinae muscles in 5 conditions: static standing on land and in water, running in deep water with high knee and cross-country styles, and finally walking on a treadmill. Results: The percentage of maximal voluntary contraction of the transversus abdominis was significantly higher for both running styles in DWR, compared with that of static standing in water. Comparing directly the 2 styles, muscle activity was higher with a high knee action compared to without. The activation of transversus abdominis during high-knee DWR was comparable with that during treadmill walking and this may have clinical implications. Conclusion: The results of this study confirmed that running in deep water with a high knee action activated trunk muscles differently compared with standing or walking on land.

scholarly journals Ultrasound Imaging of the Trunk Muscles in Acute Stroke Patients and Relations With Balance Scales

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 273-283
Author(s):  
Yunho Kim ◽  
Jeeyoung Kim ◽  
Heesung Nam ◽  
Hyun Dong Kim ◽  
Mi Ja Eom ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Ultrasound Imaging ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Berg Balance Scale ◽  
Erector Spinae ◽  
Transversus Abdominis ◽  
Trunk Muscles ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Timed Up And Go ◽  
Motor Test

Objective To examine the correlation between ultrasonographic trunk muscle parameters and balance scales in mild acute stroke patients.Methods A total of 55 stroke patients with hemiparesis and motor power grade ≥4 in the manual motor test were included. The Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), and Trunk Control Test (TCT) were used to evaluate patient balance function. Ultrasonographic parameters were measured on both non-paretic and paretic sides of the rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, transversus abdominis, and erector spinae muscles. Resting thickness and contraction thickness were measured in all muscles, and contractility and contractility ratio were calculated based on measured thicknesses. The differences between paretic and non-paretic muscle parameters, and the correlation between ultrasonographic parameters and balance scales were analyzed. Stroke patients were divided into two groups according to their fall risk. Ultrasonographic measurements between the two groups were compared.Results All muscles’ contraction thickness and contractility were significantly different between paretic and non-paretic sides (p<0.001). Contractility ratios of all trunk muscles showed a significant correlation with SARA, BBS, TUG, and TCT (p<0.05). Contractility ratios of all muscles were significantly different between high- and low-risk fall groups (p<0.05).Conclusion The contractility ratio in stroke patients reflects their balance disturbance and fall risk and it may serve as a new parameter for ultrasound imaging of trunk muscles.

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