Alteration in HDEMG Spatial Parameters of Trunk Muscle Due to Handle Design during Pushing

Previous research identifies that pushing and pulling is responsible for approximately 9–18% of all low back injuries. Additionally, the handle design of a cart being pushed can dramatically alter a worker’s capacity to push (≅9.5%). Surprisingly little research has examined muscle activation of the low back and its role in muscle function. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of handle design combination of pushing a platform truck cart on trunk muscle activity. Twenty participants (10 males and 10 females, mean age = 24.3 ± 4.3 years) pushed 475 lbs using six different handle combinations involving handle orientation (vertical/horizontal/semi-pronated) and handle height (hip/shoulder). Multichannel high-density EMG (HDsEMG) was recorded for left and right rectus abdominis, erector spinae, and external obliques. Pushing at hip height with a horizontal handle orientation design (HH) resulted in significantly less (p < 0.05) muscle activity compared to the majority of other handle designs, as well as a significantly higher entropy than the shoulder handle height involving either the semi-pronated (p = 0.023) or vertical handle orientation (p = 0.028). The current research suggests that the combination of a hip height and horizontal orientation handle design may require increased muscle demand of the trunk and alter the overall muscle heterogeneity and pattern of the muscle activity.

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Validation and comparison of trunk muscle activities in male participants during exercise using an innovative device and abdominal bracing maneuvers

Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation ◽

10.3233/bmr-210001 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Yuki Kurokawa ◽

Satoshi Kato ◽

Satoru Demura ◽

Kazuya Shinmura ◽

Noriaki Yokogawa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Muscle Activity ◽

Muscle Activation ◽

Voluntary Contraction ◽

Trunk Muscle ◽

Erector Spinae ◽

Trunk Muscles ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Significant Difference ◽

External Oblique ◽

Internal Oblique

BACKGROUND: Abdominal bracing is effective in strengthening the trunk muscles; however, assessing performance can be challenging. We created a device for performing abdominal trunk muscle exercises. The effectiveness of this device has not yet been evaluated or compared OBJECTIVE: We aimed to quantify muscle activity levels during exercise using our innovative device and to compare them with muscle activation during abdominal bracing maneuvers. METHODS: This study included 10 men who performed abdominal bracing exercises and exercises using our device. We measured surface electromyogram (EMG) activities of the rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique, internal oblique (IO), and erector spinae (ES) muscles in each of the exercises. The EMG data were normalized to those recorded during maximal voluntary contraction (%EMGmax). RESULTS: During the bracing exercise, the %EMGmax of IO was significantly higher than that of RA and ES (p< 0.05), whereas during the exercises using the device, the %EMGmax of IO was significantly higher than that of ES (p< 0.05). No significant difference was observed in the %EMGmax of any muscle between bracing exercises and the exercises using the device (p= 0.13–0.95). CONCLUSIONS: The use of our innovative device results in comparable activation to that observed during abdominal bracing.

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Effects of a Dynamic Chair on Chair Seat Motion and Trunk Muscle Activity during Office Tasks and Task Transitions

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph15122723 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (12) ◽

pp. 2723 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Corina Nüesch ◽

Jan-Niklas Kreppke ◽

Annegret Mündermann ◽

Lars Donath

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Muscle Activity ◽

Muscle Activation ◽

Dynamic Condition ◽

Trunk Muscle ◽

Erector Spinae ◽

Task Transition ◽

The Right ◽

Hand Writing ◽

And Task

Employing dynamic office chairs might increase the physical (micro-) activity during prolonged office sitting. We investigated whether a dynamic BioSwing® chair increases chair sway and alters trunk muscle activation. Twenty-six healthy young adults performed four office tasks (reading, calling, typing, hand writing) and transitions between these tasks while sitting on a dynamic and on a static office chair. For all task-transitions, chair sway was higher in the dynamic condition (p < 0.05). Muscle activation changes were small with lower mean activity of the left obliquus internus during hand writing (p = 0.07), lower mean activity of the right erector spinae during the task-transition calling to hand writing (p = 0.036), and higher mean activity of the left erector spinae during the task-transition reading to calling (p = 0.07) on the dynamic chair. These results indicate that an increased BioSwing® chair sway only selectively alters trunk muscle activation. Adjustments of chair properties (i.e., swinging elements, foot positioning) are recommended.

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Electromyographic Activity of Trunk Muscles During Flexion-Distraction Treatment of Low Back Patients

10.1115/imece1999-0473 ◽

1999 ◽

Author(s):

Maruti R. Gudavalli ◽

Jerrilyn A. Backman ◽

Steven J. Kirstukas ◽

Anant V. Kadiyala ◽

Avinash G. Patwardhan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Muscle Activity ◽

Erector Spinae ◽

Trunk Muscles ◽

Emg Activity ◽

Electromyographic Activity ◽

Low Back ◽

Mean Values ◽

Flexion Extension ◽

Left And Right ◽

The Mean

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the superficial muscles during the treatment of low back patients during a conservative procedure known as the Cox flexion-distraction procedure. A total of 33 low back pain patients were recruited for this study from chiropractic and allopathic orthopedic clinics. EMG signals were collected while the patient was in a prone relaxed position, during the treatment using the flexion-distraction procedure, and during maximum voluntary exertions in the three planes (flexion, extension, left and right lateral bending, and left and right twisting). The mean values of the Root Mean Square (RMS) values of EMG ratios during treatment versus resting indicate that the muscles are active during the treatment. This activity is more than the activity at rest. However the mean values of the RMS EMG ratios (during treatment versus maximum voluntary contraction) are small indicating that the muscle activity during treatment may not influence the treatment loads. The left and right muscles in all muscle groups were similarly active. During the treatment, erector spinae muscles were the most active, followed by the external oblique, and the rectus abdominus muscles. The results from this study provide quantitative data for the muscle activity during the flexion-distraction treatment. This information can be incorporated into computer models to estimate the loads generated during the flexion-distraction treatment due to the muscle activity compared to the loads generated by the chiropractic physician.

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Association between lumbopelvic motion and muscle activation in patients with non-specific low back pain during forward bending task: A cross-sectional study

Hong Kong Physiotherapy Journal ◽

10.1142/s1013702520500043 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 40 (01) ◽

pp. 29-37

Author(s):

Peemongkon Wattananon ◽

Komsak Sinsurin ◽

Sirikarn Somprasong

Keyword(s):

Low Back Pain ◽

Back Pain ◽

Muscle Activity ◽

Muscle Activation ◽

Erector Spinae ◽

Low Back ◽

Activation Patterns ◽

Muscle Activation Patterns ◽

Forward Bending ◽

Lumbar Motion

Background: Evidence suggests patients with non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) have altered lumbar and pelvic movement patterns. These changes could be associated with altered patterns of muscle activation. Objective: The study aimed to determine: (1) differences in the relative contributions and velocity of lumbar and pelvic movements between people with and without NSLBP, (2) the differences in lumbopelvic muscle activation patterns between people with and without NSLBP, and (3) the association between lumbar and pelvic movements and lumbopelvic muscle activation patterns. Methods: Subjects (8 healthy individuals and 8 patients with NSLBP) performed 2 sets of 3 repetitions of active forward bending, while motion and muscle activity data were collected simultaneously. Data derived were lumbar and pelvic ranges of motion and velocity, and ipsilateral and contralateral lumbopelvic muscle activities (internal oblique[Formula: see text]transverse abdominis (IO[Formula: see text]TA), lumbar multifidus (LM), erector spinae (ES) and gluteus maximus (GM) muscles). Results: Lumbar and pelvic motions showed trends, but exceeded 95% confidence minimal detectable difference (MDD[Formula: see text]), for greater pelvic motion [Formula: see text], less lumbar motion [Formula: see text] among patients with NSLBP. Significantly less activity was observed in the GM muscles bilaterally [Formula: see text] in the NSLBP group. A significant association [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] was found between ipsilateral ES muscle activity and lumbar motion, while moderate, but statistically non-significant associations, were found between GM muscle activity bilaterally and lumbar velocity [Formula: see text]ipsilateral: [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]; contralateral: [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] in the NSLBP group. Conclusion: Findings indicated patients had greater pelvic contribution, but less lumbar contribution which was associated with less activation of the GM bilaterally.

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Analysis of Muscle Activity Using Surface Electromyography for Muscle Performance in Manual Lifting Task

Applied Mechanics and Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.564.644 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 564 ◽

pp. 644-649 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Halim Isa ◽

Rawaida ◽

Seri Rahayu Kamat ◽

A. Rohana ◽

Adi Saptari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Muscle Activity ◽

Surface Electromyography ◽

Biceps Brachii ◽

Twist Angle ◽

Erector Spinae ◽

Manual Lifting ◽

Experienced Fatigue ◽

Left And Right ◽

Lifting Task ◽

Load Mass

In industries, manual lifting is commonly practiced even though mechanized material handling equipment are provided. Manual lifting is used to transport or move products and goods to a desired place.Improper lifting techniquescontribute to muscle fatigue and low back pain that can lead to work efficiency and low productivity.The objective of this study were to analyze muscle activity in the left and right Erector Spinae, and left and right Biceps Brachii of five female subjects while performing manual lifting taskwithdifferent load mass, lifting height and twist angle.The muscle activitywere measured and analyzed using surface electromyography (sEMG).This study found that the right Biceps Brachii, right and left Erector Spinae experienced fatigue while performingasymmetric lifting (twist angle = 90°) at lifting height of 75 cm and 140 cm with load mass of 5 kg and 10 kg. Meanwhile, the left Biceps Brachii experienced fatigue when the lifting task was set at lifting height of 75 cm, load mass of 5 kg and twist angle of 90°.The load mass and lifting height has a significant influence to Mean Power Frequency (MPF) for left Biceps Brachii, left and right Erector Spinae. This study concluded that reducing the load mass can increase the muscles performance which can extend the transition-to-fatigue stage in the left and right Biceps Brachii and Erector Spinae.

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Trunk muscle activity during dynamic exercises on land and in water for participants with and without chronic low back pain

Physiotherapy ◽

10.1016/j.physio.2017.11.158 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 103 ◽

pp. e6-e7

Author(s):

L. Linton ◽

S. Valentine ◽

S. Coleman ◽

K. Kaliarntas ◽

S. Psycharakis

Keyword(s):

Low Back Pain ◽

Back Pain ◽

Chronic Low Back Pain ◽

Muscle Activity ◽

Trunk Muscle ◽

Low Back

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The Effects of Lifting Posture on Trunk Muscle Activity

Proceedings of the Human Factors Society Annual Meeting ◽

10.1177/154193129203601022 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 36 (10) ◽

pp. 742-746

Author(s):

Christopher A. Hamrick ◽

Sean Gallagher

Keyword(s):

Muscle Activity ◽

Latissimus Dorsi ◽

Trunk Muscle ◽

Trunk Muscles ◽

Oblique Muscle ◽

Left And Right ◽

External Oblique ◽

Four Levels ◽

The Right ◽

Guidelines And Recommendations

Trunk muscle activity of twelve healthy males with coal mining experience was examined while each subject lifted a box under various conditions. The independent variables were four levels of posture (kneeling, stooped under a 1.2 m roof, stooped under a 1.6 m roof, and standing), height to which the box was lifted (35 cm or 70 cm), and weight of the lifting box (15 kg, 20 kg, or 25 kg). The dependent variables were the peak EMG values recorded during a lift for each of eight trunk muscles (left and right erectores spinae, left and right latissimus dorsi, left and right external oblique, and left and right rectus abdominis). Posture and weight of lift significantly affected peak activity of the left and right erectores spinae, the left and right latissimus dorsi muscles, and the right external oblique muscle. The latissimus dorsi muscle activity was highest in the low stooping posture, and was lowest in the kneeling posture, while erectores spinae activity was highest in the kneeling posture and decreased as the trunk became more flexed. Thus, the muscle activity during lifting tasks is affected by restricting a worker's posture. Consequently, many lifting guidelines and recommendations currently in use may not be directly applicable to work being performed in restricted postures.

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An Evaluation of an Innovative Exercise to Relieve Chronic Low Back Pain in Sedentary Workers

Human Factors The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society ◽

10.1177/0018720820966082 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 001872082096608

Author(s):

Pongsatorn Saiklang ◽

Rungthip Puntumetakul ◽

James Selfe ◽

Gillian Yeowell

Keyword(s):

Low Back Pain ◽

Back Pain ◽

Pain Intensity ◽

Muscle Fatigue ◽

Chronic Low Back Pain ◽

Muscle Activity ◽

Trunk Muscle ◽

Low Back ◽

Prolonged Sitting ◽

Lumbar Extension

Objective The purpose of the study was to examine the effectiveness of a novel supported dynamic lumbar extension with the abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) technique on stature change, deep abdominal muscle activity, trunk muscle fatigue, and pain intensity during prolonged sitting in chronic low back pain (CLBP) participants. Background Prolonged sitting can cause trunk muscle fatigue from continuous contraction of deep trunk muscles in seated postures. Deficiency of activity of deep muscles can reduce muscular support of the spine, causing stress on spinal structures, which could result in pain. Method Thirty participants with CLBP were randomly allocated: (a) control—sitting without exercise, and (b) intervention—supported dynamic lumbar extension with the ADIM technique. Results Compared to the intervention condition, the control condition demonstrated significantly greater deterioration in stature change, increased levels of deep trunk muscle fatigue, and an increase in pain during prolonged sitting. Conclusion The supported dynamic lumbar extension with the ADIM technique appears to provide a protective effect on detrimental stature change and deep trunk muscle fatigue. In addition, it prevented an increase in pain intensity during prolonged sitting in people with CLBP. Application Sedentary behavior harms health, particularly affecting the lower back. Clinicians can use the intervention to induce dynamic lumbar movement, and this exercise can maintain deep trunk muscle activity during prolonged sitting, thereby helping to prevent low back pain (LBP) problems.

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