• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.63-71
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• 1998

Trunk holding test (Sorensen test) appear to have more value than strength test in prediction the occurrence of low back pain. Electromyographic activity of trunk extensor muscles during these test may provide clues to the etiology of neuromuscular-based low back pain. This study investigated the difference in back muscle endurance between healthy adult men and women using surface electromyographic (EMG) power spectral analysis. Thirty hea1thy subjects (15 men and 15 women) performed an unsupported trunk holding test for 60 seconds. Recording surface electrodes were placed over the erector spinae medially and laterally at vertebral levels of $L_1$ and $L_5$. Slope of total frequency was evaluated using the MP100WSW Fast Fourier Transform spectrum analysis program. The slopes of all indices of back muscle fatigue, except right $L_5$, were significantly steeper in men than in women (p<0.05). Our results indicated that the trunk holding test using EMG power spectral analysis of erector spinae muscles is useful for the evaluation of fatigue rate of these muscles. Our results also showed a higher muscle endurance in healthy adult women than in men.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.13-20
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• 2011

Objectives : We studied the clinical utility of meridian electromyography for the assessment of erector spinae muscle in functional leg length inequality. Methods : We compared electrical activity between A group with a functional leg length inequality(n=17) and B group(n=23) in dynamic flexion-reextension state during five minutes. We anayzed amplitudes and areas of electrical activity and asymmetry index(AI). Results : 1. The short leg sides were significantly higher electrical activity than the long leg sides in the experimental group and control group(p<0.05). 2. The AI of A group significantly higher than B group(p<0.05). Conclusions : According to above results, there are correlations between erector spinae muscle and functional leg length inequality.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.83-95
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• 1993

In out-patient clinic, it seems to be common that most back pain arise from muscular origins rather than from skeletal origins. Most physicians have wished to diagnose lower back pain from the radiologic findings only. From clinical experiences and anatomical studies, I have gotten a different opinion from common sense about backaches. If I met a patient who had lower back pain around the posterior superior iliac crest(P.S.I.C.) area, I would had to search a trigger point in the erector spinae muscles at the level of thoraco-lumber junction rather than at the level of the painful site. It is why that sensory innervation over the posterior superior iliac crest area is the posterior primary branch of T12 spinal nerve running down through the erector spinae muscles. Pain on the iliac crest area is supposedly due to hyperirritability of the sensory nerve distributing to this area. Hyperirritability of the posterior primary branch of $T_{12}$ spinal nerve may be due to the spasm of the longissimus thoracis muscle in the erector spinae muscles at the level of the thoraco-lumbar junction. So finally, I would like to insist that spasmolytic treatment on the muscle at the level of the thoraco-lumbar junction would be better for pain relief around P.S.I.C. than treatment at the painful site only.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.59-63
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• 2016

Purpose: The objective of this study was to identify determine the effect of the strap height on muscular activity of trunk and lower limbs muscles during bridging exercise with a sling. Methods: The subjects of the study were 17 healthy male adults. In order to For measurement of muscular activity, body surfaces electrodes were placed on areas including erector spinae, multifidus muscles, gluteus maximus, and hamstring and the results was were recorded based on three different heights of strap, which are Levels 1, 2, and 3. Results: The muscular activities in erector spinae, multifidus muscle, and gluteus maximus were significantly different in at all three heights (p<0.05)., Level 3 showed the highest the compared to Levels 1 and 2. In hamstring muscle, there was significant difference in levels 1 and 2, also and levels 1 and 3 (p<0.05),. Bbut there was no significant difference between 2 and 3. The ration of muscular activities in multifidus muscles/erector spinae and gluteus maximus/hamstrings were significantly different for all three strap heights (p<0.05). Also, Level 3 showed higher than 1 or 2. Conclusion: The results of this study suggests to adjustment of the level III, that which has high activity level of multifidus and gluteus maximus affecting trunk stability during bridging exercise using a sling.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.298-303
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• 2019

Purpose: This study examined the effects of slashpipe exercise on reducing the thickness of the left and right external oblique, internal oblique, transverse abdominis, erector spinae, and multifidus muscles. Methods: A total of 29 healthy adult men and women were included in the study. They performed trunk flexion in the supine position and trunk extension in the prone position with a slashpipe and weight bar. The external oblique, internal oblique, and transverse abdominis muscles were measured in the supine position, while the erector spinae and multifidus muscles were measured in the prone position. The data were analyzed using the SPSS ver 21.0 statistical program. The difference in thickness between the right and left sides of the trunk muscle was analyzed by repeated measures analysis. The statistical significance level was set to p<0.05. Results: The results showed that the slashpipe exercise reduced significantly the difference in thickness of the oblique internus and erector spinae muscles compared to the weight bar exercise. Conclusion: The chaotic fluidity of the fluid filled inside the slashpipe could be used as sensory feedback information on body mal-alignment, which would have positively affected the symmetrical contraction of the trunk muscles as a trigger for self-correction. Therefore, it will have a useful effect not only on the health of the general public, but also on low back patients and athletes with muscle asymmetry.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.111-118
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• 2019

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between trunk stabilization muscle activation and the parameters of gait analysis in healthy individuals. Methods: Thirty healthy adults (15 male, 15 female) with no history of lower back pain (LBP) or current musculoskeletal and neurological injuries were studied. Trunk stabilization muscle activation (e.g., external oblique, internal oblique, transverse abdominis, erector spinae) were assessed using surface electromyography. To analyze gait, we measured temporal parameters (e.g., gait velocity, single support phase, double support phase, swing phase, and stance phase) and a spatial parameter (e.g., H-H base of support). Results: A statistically significant correlation was found between the internal oblique, transverse abdominis, and erector spinae muscle activity and gait velocity, single support phase, double support phase, swing phase, and stance phase. No statistically significant correlation was found between the external oblique muscle activity and the gait velocity, single support phase, double support phase, swing phase, and stance phase. No statistically significant correlation was found between the external oblique, internal oblique, transverse abdominis, and erector spinae muscle activity and the spatial parameter. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that a relationship exists between trunk stabilization muscle activation and temporal parameter (i.e., gait velocity, single support phase, double support phase, swing phase, and stance phase) during gait analysis. Therefore, the trunk's stabilizer muscles play an important role in the gait of healthy individuals.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.19-24
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of PNF lower extremity flexion pattern on the eletromyographic (EMG) activity in rectus abdominis, internal oblique abdominal, external oblique abdominal, erector spinae. Methods : Twenty-six healthy adults volunteered to participate in this study. Subjects were required complete following two PNF lower extremity patterns; flexion-adduction-external rotation with knee flexion (D1) and flexion-abduction-internal rotation with knee flexion (D2). A paired t-test was used to determine the influence of the PNF two patterns on muscle activity for each muscle and descriptive statistics was used to determine local/global muscle ratio. Results : The D1 pattern was showed significant rectus abdominis (p<.05) and Median of internal oblique/rectus abdominis ratio was 2.23 and internal oblique/external oblique ratio was 1.53. The D2 pattern showed significant erector spinae (p<.05) and Median of internal oblique/rectus abdominis ratio was 3.06 and internal oblique/external oblique ratio was 1.72. Conclusion : The D1 pattern made rectus abdominis activation increase. The D2 pattern made erector spinae activation increase. As compared D1 and D2 pattern on trunk muscle activation, it's will be useful decision making for the trunk muscle strength and stabilization.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.187-191
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of our study aimed to identify the effect of static and dynamic bridge exercise with gym ball using gym ball on muscle activation of trunk and lower-limb in healthy individuals. Methods: A total of 20 healthy adults participated in this study. The individuals performed general bridge exercise, static and dynamic bridge exercise using gym ball. During the three methods of bridge exercises, electromyography (EMG) data (% maximum voluntary isometric contraction) of the rectus abdominis, erector spinae, biceps femoris, and gastrocnemius were recorded using a wireless surface EMG system. Results: Rectus abdominis activation showed significantly greater during dynamic bridge exercise compared with general bridge exercise and dynamic bridge exercise. Erector spinae, biceps femoris, and gastrocnemius were greater during static and dynamic bridge exercise compared with general bridge exercise. Conclusion: Based on our results, bridge exercise using gym ball, particularly integrating lower-limb movement, could be a useful method to enhance muscle activation of trunk and lower-limb (rectus abdominis, erector spinae, biceps femoris, and gastrocnemius).

• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.51-58
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of thoracic-lumbar dissociation motion and slump motion on thoracic-lumbar erector spinae and rectus abdominis muscle activity. Methods: Seventeen healthy adult volunteers participated in this study. All participants performed two motions (thoracic-lumbar dissociation motion, slump motion). Muscle activation during the two motions was measured using a surface electromyography device. The data from this were collected from the iliocostalis thoracis, iliocostalis lumborum, and rectus abdominis. The activities of these muscles before and after each motion were then compared. Results: The iliocostalis thoracis activation was significantly greater during the thoracic-lumbar dissociation motion than during the slump motion (p <0.05). The iliocostalis lumborum activation was greater during the slump motion than during the thoracic-lumbar dissociation motion (p <0.05). The rectus abdominis activation was lesser during the slump motion than during the thoracic-lumbar dissociation motion (p <0.05). Conclusion: This study confirmed that individual contraction of the erector spinae muscles is possible during thoracic-lumbar dissociation motion, which increases the stability of the thoracic spine. In addition, this motion could improve control of the rectus abdominis. Therefore, thoracic-lumbar dissociation motion should be considered for rehabilitation programs for patients with kyphosis and back pain.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.159-166
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• 2024

Background: For instance, forward head posture (FHP), characterized by the forward movement of the head relative to the spine, places significant stress on the neck and upper back muscles, disrupting the biomechanical balance of the body. Objects: The objective of this study was to probe the biomechanical effects of FHP on musculoskeletal health through a relative analysis of 26 adults diagnosed with FHP and 26 healthy controls. Methods: In this study, we evaluated the biomechanical impacts of FHP. Participants adjusted their head positions and underwent muscle strength tests, including electromyography assessments and the Biering-Sørensen test for trunk muscle endurance. Data analysis was conducted using Kinovea (Kinovea) and IBM SPSS software ver. 26.0 (IBM Co.) to compare muscle activities between groups with normal and FHPs. Results: The study shows that individuals with FHP have significantly lower muscle activity, endurance, and spinal extension in the erector spinae compared to those without, highlighting the detrimental effects of FHP on these muscles. Conclusion: This study underscores the impact of FHP on erector spinae function and emphasizes the need for posture correction to enhance musculoskeletal health and guide future research on intervention strategies.