Trunk muscle activation patterns during active hip abduction test during remission from recurrent low back pain: an observational study

Abstract

Background The active hip abduction test (AHAbd) is widely used to evaluate lumbopelvic stability, but the onset of trunk muscle activation during the test in individuals with recurrent low back pain (rLBP) has not been investigated so far. It is important to investigate the pattern of trunk muscle activation during the AHAbd test to provide insight into the interpretation of observation-based assessment results; this may help to create exercise therapy interventions, from a movement control perspective, for people seeking treatment for rLBP. The purpose of this study was to compare the timing of trunk muscle activation between individuals with and without rLBP and to assess potential differences. Methods Seventeen subjects in remission from rLBP and 17 subjects without rLBP were recruited. We performed surface electromyography of the transversus abdominis/internal abdominal oblique, external oblique, erector spinae, and gluteus medius muscles during the AHAbd test on both sides. The onset of trunk muscle activation was calculated relative to the prime mover gluteus medius. The independent-samples t- and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare the onset of trunk muscle activation between the two groups. Results The onset of transversus abdominis/internal abdominal oblique activation on the ipsilateral (right AHAbd: −3.0 ± 16.2 vs. 36.3 ± 20.0 msec, left AHAbd: −7.2 ± 18.6 vs. 29.6 ± 44.3 ms) and contralateral sides (right AHAbd: −11.5 ± 13.9 vs. 24.4 ± 32.3 ms, left AHAbd: −10.1 ± 12.5 vs. 23.3 ± 17.2 ms) and erector spinae on the contralateral side (right AHAbd: 76.1 ± 84.9 vs. 183.9 ± 114.6 ms, left AHAbd: 60.7 ± 70.5 vs. 133.9 ± 98.6 ms) occurred significantly later in individuals with rLBP than in individuals without rLBP (p < 0.01). During the left AHAbd test, the ipsilateral erector spinae was also activated significantly later in individuals with rLBP than in individuals without rLBP (71.1 ± 80.1 vs. 163.8 ± 120.1 ms, p < 0.05). No significant difference was observed in the onset of the external oblique activation on the right and left AHAbd tests (p > 0.05). Conclusions Our results suggest that individuals with rLBP possess a trunk muscle activation pattern that is different from that of individuals without rLBP. These findings provide an insight into the underlying muscle activation patterns during the AHAbd test for people with rLBP and may support aggressive early intervention for neuromuscular control.

Trunk Muscle Activity and Ratio of Local Muscle to Global Muscle Activity during Supine Bridge Exercises under Unstable Conditions in Young Participants with and without Chronic Low Back Pain

“…Increased global muscular activity increases spine stress [ 38 ], impairing spine mobility and contributing to shock absorption/damping [ 39 ]. The results of this study support the findings of these previous studies [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ]. These inappropriate recruitment patterns may contribute to NSCLBP [ 9 ].…”

“…In the present study, we showed that the erector spinae muscle activity during the supine bridge exercise using the balance ball, normalized by the floor supine bridge exercise, was significantly greater in the NSCLBP group, and the internal oblique/transversus abdominis muscle activity was significantly lower than in the control group. It has been reported that individuals with LBP show inactivity in the local muscles [ 7 , 12 , 13 , 14 ] and increased activity in the global muscle groups [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ]. The amplitude of transversus abdominis activity was significantly decreased, and the onset timing of transversus abdominis muscle and internal oblique/transversus abdominis muscle was significantly delayed during rapid upper and lower limb movement in individuals with NSCLBP compared to the healthy individuals [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ].…”

“…Previous studies showed that individuals with LBP have impaired control of trunk muscles essential for maintaining the coordination and stability of the spine. A delayed onset of the abdominal local muscles associated with upper and lower limb raising movements was reported in patients with NSCLBP compared to the healthy control group [ 12 , 13 , 14 ]. In addition, Miura et al evaluated the activity of the transversus abdominis muscle using an ultrasound imaging system and showed that the change in activity associated with postural change was significantly smaller in the NSCLBP group than in healthy individuals [ 7 ].…”

The Application of Surface Electromyography Technology in Evaluating Paraspinal Muscle Function

“…The study indicated that in individuals with recurrent LBP, the activation of contralateral erector spinae occurred with a delay compared to those without recurrent LBP during both right and left active hip abduction tests. Additionally, during the left active hip abduction test, the onset of ipsilateral erector spinae activation was present later in individuals with recurrent LBP compared to those without recurrent LBP [ 96 ]. Humphrey et al investigated different sEMG parameters among the healthy, chronic LBP, and past history subjects with LBP.…”

再発性腰痛者における視覚的フィードバックが腰椎骨盤の運動制御に与える影響

“…川崎医療福祉大学 理学療法学科：岡山県倉敷市松島 288 (〒 701-0193) TEL 086-462-11112) 川崎医療福祉大学 作業療法学科 受付日 2022 年 11 月 7 日 受理日 2023 年 1 月 12 日 理学療法科学 38(2) ： 96-103， 2023 ■原 著 I．はじめに 本邦において，腰痛の生涯有病率は 83％，その有訴 者率は男性で第 1 位，女性で第 2 位である 1,2) こ と が 報 告 さ れ て い る 18,19) ． し た が っ て， は，24 時間以上続く腰痛 が過去 1 年以内に 2 回以上あり，各腰痛発症時の痛みの 強さが Numerical Rating Scale(数値評価スケール)に おいて 2 以上で，各腰痛の発症の間に 30 日以上の無症 状期間がある者としている．そのため本研究の取り込み Sensor M-00-S， Ambu 社 製 ) を 用 い， 皮 膚 処 理 を 行 っ た 後， 先 行 研 究24,25) を参考に貼付した．電極貼付部位は外腹斜筋が 臍外側 15 cm，内腹斜筋が上前腸骨棘の 2 cm 下内側， 腰方形筋が第 12 肋骨と腸骨稜の中間点で脊柱起立筋の 筋腹の外側 4…”