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Objectives: Respiration plays an important function in sustaining life. The diaphragm is the primary muscle involved in respiration, and plays an important role in trunk stabilization. Although it has been reported that respiratory function is important for trunk muscle stability, the correlation between respiratory function and abdominal trunk muscle strength remains undetermined. This study aimed to clarify this correlation among middle-aged and older patients. Methods: This observational study included 398 patients scheduled for surgery for degenerative conditions of the lower extremities. Respiratory function was evaluated using forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 s measured using spirometry. Each patient underwent a physical function test before surgery, which included the assessment of the abdominal trunk muscle strength, grip power, knee extensor strength, one-leg standing time, and gait speed. Correlations between abdominal trunk muscle strength, respiratory function, and physical function were evaluated. Results: Abdominal trunk muscle strength was significantly correlated with forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 s, grip power, knee extensor strength, one-leg standing time, and gait speed. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that sex, forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 s, and knee extensor strength were significant factors associated with abdominal trunk muscle strength. Conclusions: In middle-aged and older patients, abdominal trunk muscle strength including that of the diaphragm, is associated with forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The physiological and functional changes from aging affect the systemic and swallowing muscles. While ultrasound is used to examine muscle characteristics, no previous studies have examined the relationship between age and perioral and trunk muscle characteristics, including stiffness. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between age and the characteristics of perioral and trunk muscles, including quality, quantity, and stiffness, using ultrasound. A total of 215 participants were recruited for this cross-sectional study: 98 younger adults (20–64 years) and 117 older adults (≥ 65 years). Muscle characteristics were assessed along with data on age, sex, body mass index, and number of teeth. The correlation between age and muscle characteristics was examined. Multiple linear regression was performed with muscle characteristics as dependent variables and age, body mass index, and number of teeth as explanatory variables. We found that only trunk muscle stiffness was associated with age, with a stronger correlation in quality and quantity than perioral muscles. Masseter muscle quality and quantity showed a higher correlation with age than those of the geniohyoid muscle. In conclusion, characteristics of the trunk and perioral muscles exhibit differences in age-related changes, highlighting the importance of maintaining both trunk and perioral muscle activity in older adults to prevent functional decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The physiological and functional changes from aging affect the systemic and swallowing muscles. While ultrasound is used to examine muscle characteristics, no previous studies have examined the relationship between age and perioral and trunk muscle characteristics, including stiffness. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between age and the characteristics of perioral and trunk muscles, including quality, quantity, and stiffness, using ultrasound. A total of 215 participants were recruited for this cross-sectional study: 98 younger adults (20–64 years) and 117 older adults (≥ 65 years). Muscle characteristics were assessed along with data on age, sex, body mass index, and number of teeth. The correlation between age and muscle characteristics was examined. Multiple linear regression was performed with muscle characteristics as dependent variables and age, body mass index, and number of teeth as explanatory variables. We found that only trunk muscle stiffness was associated with age, with a stronger correlation in quality and quantity than perioral muscles. Masseter muscle quality and quantity showed a higher correlation with age than those of the geniohyoid muscle. In conclusion, characteristics of the trunk and perioral muscles exhibit differences in age-related changes, highlighting the importance of maintaining both trunk and perioral muscle activity in older adults to prevent functional decline.

Background Lifting is generally considered as a risk factor for low back pain. A thorough investigation of the muscle function during lifting is essential for a better assessment of the potential risk of muscle impairment and towards improvements in lifting strategy. We aimed to compare the activities of the trunk muscles between the stoop and the squat lifting tasks. Methods A surface electromyography device was used to measure the muscle activity during the full-cycle squat and the stoop lifting tasks of a 5-kg weight. Each task was divided into four stages: stage 1 was bending forward to reach the weight, stage 2 was lifting the weight up, stage 3 was lowering the weight down, and stage 4 was returning to the upright position. The maximum electromyographic (EMG) activities among different tasks and different stages were compared. Eighteen males aged 20–35 years without low back pain were included, with a mean age of 26.55 ± 2.12 years, body height of 175.18 ± 4.29 cm, body weight of 69.27 ± 4.29 kg, and BMI of 22.56 ± 0.87 kg/m2. Results During stoop lifting, the median values of the absolute EMG of the left multifidus were 53.96, 70.32, 51.08 and 64.14 uV from stage 1 to stage 4, which were all non-significantly lower than those during squat lifting for 79.84, 103.64, 71.72 and 95.72, respectively (P > 0.05). The absolute EMG was greatest during stage 2, then during stage 4, stages 1 and 3 came next (Effect size = 0.879, P < 0.001). The median values of the normalized EMG of each muscle during stoop lifting were also non-significantly lower than those during squat lifting at each stage (P > 0.05). The normalized EMG was also greatest during stage 2, then during stage 4, and was lowest during stages 1 and 3 (Effect size = 0.932, P < 0.001). Conclusion The trunk muscles were similarly activated during squat and stoop lifting. During lowering the weight down, the trunk muscles were less activated than during extension to the upright position without weight in hands. These results could help to develop subject-specific strategies for lifting tasks to prevent or alleviate occupational low back pain.

ObjectiveThis study sought to examine the effect of the appendicular skeletal muscle index (ASMI) and trunk muscle index (TMI) on the likelihood of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) among female adults.MethodsThis investigation utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2001 to 2006 and 2011–2018. To evaluate the impact of ASMI and TMI on the likelihood of SUI, the study utilized restricted cubic splines (RCS) and weighted multivariable logistic regression models. Subgroup and interaction analyses were conducted to investigate how other covariates influenced their relationship.ResultsIn total, 11,168 female adults participated in the analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that high TMI was associated with a decreased likelihood of SUI (OR = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.16–0.75; p = 0.013). ASMI was not correlated with the likelihood of SUI. RCS analysis demonstrated a linear correlation between TMI and SUI risk, showing a decreasing trend in SUI risk as TMI increases (p for overall

The impact of scoliosis bracing combined with physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises (PSSE) on trunk muscle endurance in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis is unknown. ScoliBrace®, a rigid, three-dimensional, over-corrective thoraco-lumbar-sacral orthosis (TLSO), and ScoliBalance®, a PSSE program, were used to treat adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients. A retrospective study of the trunk muscle endurance of 33 AIS patients who received ScoliBrace® and ScoliBalance® was conducted. The patients were treated with ScoliBrace® and an individualized ScoliBalance® program. Trunk extensor muscle endurance (TE) and abdominal muscle endurance (AE) tests were performed at initial assessment and then at averages of 6.6 and 24.4 weeks of treatment. The data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Stata version 15.1. The participants were aged 13.24 years (SD = 1.64) with a mean Cobb angle of 38.97° (SD = 9.49°). TE improved significantly (p < 0.001) at both short- and medium-term intervals using ScoliBalance® and ScoliBrace® in the AIS patients. AE also showed significant improvement between baseline and short-term follow-up, with non-significant improvement at medium-term follow-up. Overall, trunk muscle endurance showed improvement in the AIS patients using ScoliBrace® and ScoliBalance®. Future research is required to determine the individual and combined effects of each treatment. However, it seems likely that trunk muscle endurance will not deteriorate in AIS patients with this combined treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Respiration plays an important function in sustaining life. The diaphragm is the primary muscle involved in respiration, and plays an important role in trunk stabilization. Although it has been reported that respiratory function is important for trunk muscle stability, the correlation between respiratory function and abdominal trunk muscle strength remains undetermined. This study aimed to clarify this correlation among middle-aged and older patients. Methods: This observational study included 398 patients scheduled for surgery for degenerative conditions of the lower extremities. Respiratory function was evaluated using forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 s measured using spirometry. Each patient underwent a physical function test before surgery, which included the assessment of the abdominal trunk muscle strength, grip power, knee extensor strength, one-leg standing time, and gait speed. Correlations between abdominal trunk muscle strength, respiratory function, and physical function were evaluated. Results: Abdominal trunk muscle strength was significantly correlated with forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 s, grip power, knee extensor strength, one-leg standing time, and gait speed. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that sex, forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 s, and knee extensor strength were significant factors associated with abdominal trunk muscle strength. Conclusions: In middle-aged and older patients, abdominal trunk muscle strength including that of the diaphragm, is associated with forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 s.

Abstract Background Core exercise is often adopted as an adjunct in maintaining musculoskeletal health in rehabilitation; we previously showed that standing core rotational exercise improves femoral blood flow after training. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different rotational cadences on circulatory and hemodynamic responses after acute standing core exercise. Methods Sixteen healthy male adults (22 ± 1 yrs) were randomly assigned to participate in two 30-min standing core exercises of fast (75 rpm, FC) and slow cadence (20 rpm, SC) sessions after completing an acute bout of seated knee extension exercise session (KE) (80% of 1 repetition maximum × 12 repetitions × 3 sets). Impedance cardiography-derived circulatory responses and femoral hemodynamics by ultrasound imaging were measured pre- and 30, and 60 min post-exercise. Results KE acutely increased post-exercise cardiac output at 30 min (p = 0.008) and heart rate at 30 min (p = 0.04) and 60 min (p = 0.01), yet brachial blood pressure did not change. Systemic vascular resistance was significantly lower after FC and KE at 30 min (p = 0.008) and 60 (p = 0.04) min, respectively, compared with the baseline. In addition, KE acutely decreased post-exercise arterial stiffness (p = 0.05) at 30 min, increased femoral conductance (p = 0.03, p

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the effects of progressive postural control exercise (PPCE) vs core stability exercise (CSE) in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). Methods: A total of 34 young-adult participants with CLBP were randomly assigned to two groups (the PPCE group and the CSE group). They received instructions for two different exercise training regimens persisting over 8 weeks. Before, after, and at 6 months after the intervention, the participants were evaluated on the basis of pain intensity (VAS), degree of dysfunction (ODI and RMDQ), contractility of transversus abdominis (TrA) and lumbar multifidus (MF), as well as the ability to control static posture. Results: There was no significant difference between the results of the PPCE group and the CSE group. At the 6-month follow-up after the 8-week treatment, the scores of VAS, ODI, and RMDQ in the two groups decreased significantly compared to before (p < 0.05). The percentage change in thickness of bilateral TrA and left MF (p < 0.05) was elevated and the sway area of center of pressure during static stance tasks with eyes opened (p < 0.05) was decreased in both groups. Conclusion: In the short term, PPCE provides positive effects similar to those of core stability exercise in patients with CLBP. The effective mechanism of PPCE might be the consequence of neuromuscular plasticity and adaptation adjustments. PPCE enriches the choices of treatment for CLBP. Clinical Trial Registration: The trial was registered at www.chictr.org.cn, identifier ChiCTR2100043113. Plain Language Summary: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a widespread disorder with highly recurrent prevalence. As of now, the treatment effects are not satisfactory, leading to a search for novel therapies that might work better in patients with CLBP. This study comprehensively explored the effects of progressive postural control exercise, as compared to core stability exercise, on patients with CLBP. The outcomes included pain intensity, disability of daily life, contractility of trunk muscles, and postural control. The results of the study showed that the efficacy of exercises in patients in the experimental group was similar to that of the control group and both exercise treatments improved the pain intensity, the disability, the contractile function of trunk muscle, as well as postural control in patients with CLBP in the short term. The mechanism of the effects of progressive postural control exercise might be the consequence of "neuromuscular plasticity" and adaptation adjustments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Core exercise is often adopted as an adjunct in maintaining musculoskeletal health in rehabilitation; we previously showed that standing core rotational exercise improves femoral blood flow after training. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different rotational cadences on circulatory and hemodynamic responses after acute standing core exercise. Methods: Sixteen healthy male adults (22 ± 1 yrs) were randomly assigned to participate in two 30-min standing core exercises of fast (75 rpm, FC) and slow cadence (20 rpm, SC) sessions after completing an acute bout of seated knee extension exercise session (KE) (80% of 1 repetition maximum × 12 repetitions × 3 sets). Impedance cardiography-derived circulatory responses and femoral hemodynamics by ultrasound imaging were measured pre- and 30, and 60 min post-exercise. Results: KE acutely increased post-exercise cardiac output at 30 min (p = 0.008) and heart rate at 30 min (p = 0.04) and 60 min (p = 0.01), yet brachial blood pressure did not change. Systemic vascular resistance was significantly lower after FC and KE at 30 min (p = 0.008) and 60 (p = 0.04) min, respectively, compared with the baseline. In addition, KE acutely decreased post-exercise arterial stiffness (p = 0.05) at 30 min, increased femoral conductance (p = 0.03, p < 0.001), and blood flow (p = 0.009, p < 0.001) at 30 and 60 min. No significant changes were observed in absolute femoral blood flow after FC and SC, except that FC significantly increased relative femoral blood flow (p = 0.007) and conductance (p = 0.005). Post-exercise femoral diameter significantly increased in KE at 30 (p = 0.03) and 60 min (p = 0.01), but not in core exercise. Conclusion: Our results suggest that standing core exercise elicits circulatory and hemodynamic changes only when the rotational cadence is set at a faster cadence, which provides preliminary scientific evidence for its use in exercise programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study sought to examine the effect of the appendicular skeletal muscle index (ASMI) and trunk muscle index (TMI) on the likelihood of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) among female adults., Methods: This investigation utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2001 to 2006 and 2011-2018. To evaluate the impact of ASMI and TMI on the likelihood of SUI, the study utilized restricted cubic splines (RCS) and weighted multivariable logistic regression models. Subgroup and interaction analyses were conducted to investigate how other covariates influenced their relationship., Results: In total, 11,168 female adults participated in the analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that high TMI was associated with a decreased likelihood of SUI (OR = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.16-0.75; p  = 0.013). ASMI was not correlated with the likelihood of SUI. RCS analysis demonstrated a linear correlation between TMI and SUI risk, showing a decreasing trend in SUI risk as TMI increases ( p for overall <0.001, p for nonlinearity = 0.73)., Conclusion: Our study results showed that there was no association between ASMI and the risk of SUI, while a high TMI reduced the risk of SUI. This suggested that the ratio of muscle mass and BMI in different body regions has varying effects on SUI., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Wang, Zhang and Zhang.)

Abstract Background Physical inactivity due to cachexia and muscle wasting is well recognized as a sign of poor prognosis in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, there have been no reports on the relationship between trunk muscle measurements and energy expenditure parameters, such as the total energy expenditure (TEE) and physical activity level (PAL), in COPD. In this study, we investigated the associations of computed tomography (CT)-derived muscle area and density measurements with clinical parameters, including TEE and PAL, in patients with or at risk for COPD, and examined whether these muscle measurements serve as an indicator of TEE and PAL. Methods The study population consisted of 36 male patients with (n = 28, stage 1–4) and at risk for (n = 8) COPD aged over 50 years. TEE was measured by the doubly labeled water method, and PAL was calculated as the TEE/basal metabolic rate estimated by the indirect method. The cross-sectional areas and densities of the pectoralis muscles, rectus abdominis muscles, and erector spinae muscles were measured. We evaluated the relationship between these muscle measurements and clinical outcomes, including body composition, lung function, muscle strength, TEE, and PAL. Results All the muscle areas were significantly associated with TEE, severity of emphysema, and body composition indices such as body mass index, fat-free mass, and trunk muscle mass. All trunk muscle densities were correlated with PAL. The product of the rectus abdominis muscle area and density showed the highest association with TEE (r = 0.732) and PAL (r = 0.578). Several trunk muscle measurements showed significant correlations with maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures, indicating their roles in respiration. Conclusions CT-derived measurements for trunk muscles are helpful in evaluating physical status and function in patients with or at risk for COPD. Particularly, trunk muscle evaluation may be a useful marker reflecting TEE and PAL.

Background: Whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) is a useful tool for revealing the disease-specific distribution of affected muscles and clinically asymptomatic muscle involvements in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs). Purpose: To examine inflammatory changes in the systemic skeletal muscles, including the thoracoabdominal trunk, in IIMs using WB-MRI. Material and Methods: We prospectively obtained WB-MRI axial images from 10 patients with IIMs, including antisynthetase syndrome (ASS), immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM), sporadic inclusion body myositis, and myopathy associated with antimitochondrial antibody. We evaluated 108 systemic skeletal muscles in short-tau inversion recovery (STIR) images and rated changes in signal intensity using a semiquantitative scale. Correlations between STIR sum score, peak creatine kinase (CK) and muscle strength were examined. We also investigated the correlation between STIR sum score within the thoracoabdominal trunk and forced vital capacity. Results: High STIR signal changes were frequently identified in asymptomatic and routinely unexamined muscles. Thoracoabdominal trunk muscles were frequently involved in ASS and IMNM. Peak CK was positively correlated with the STIR sum score (R 2 = 0.62, p <.01). There was no significant correlation between the STIR sum score within the thoracoabdominal trunk and forced vital capacity. Conclusion: WB-MRI can detect subclinical muscle inflammation in the systemic muscles including the trunk muscles. STIR sum score is positively correlated with serum peak CK level; therefore, it could be a biomarker of overall muscle inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background A considerable portion of the elderly population are increasingly afflicted by degenerative spinal deformity (DSD), which seriously affects patient health-related quality of life (HRQoL). HRQoL index is used across many studies to show correlations between radio-graphical alignment, disability, and pain in patients with DSD. However, imaged structural deformity represents only one aspect for consideration, namely, the disability effect of DSD. We assessed the isokinetic strength of trunk muscle in patients with degenerative spinal deformity (DSD), and investigated its relationship with HRQoL. Methods In total, 38 patients with DSD (DSD group) and 32 healthy individuals (control group) were recruited. Both groups were homogeneous for age, weight, height and body mass index (BMI). Assessments were performed using the isokinetic dynamometer IsoMed-2000; trunk extensor, flexor strength and flexion/extension (F/E) ratios were explored concentrically at speeds of 30°, 60° and 120° per second. The grip strength of both hands was measured using a hand-held dynamometer. Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), a Roland-Morris disability questionnaire (RDQ), and a 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) evaluated patient HRQoL. Correlations between trunk strength and HRQoL were analyzed. Results When compared with the control group, the DSD group showed lower trunk extensor strength at three velocity movements, and higher F/E ratios at 60° and 120°/s (p 0.05). In DSD group, trunk extensor strength at 60°/s was negatively associated with ODI and RDQ (p

Psychological pressure during sports competition disturbs the ideal physical movement and causes injury. Baseball batting frequently causes trunk injuries. This study aimed to examine the influence of psychological pressure on the lumbar kinematics and trunk muscle activity during the baseball batting. Fourteen collegiate baseball players participated in this study. The participants performed bat swings under three different psychological conditions (non-pressure, pressure, and emphasized pressure). The lumbar kinematics and trunk muscle activity were measured during each bat swing. One- and two-way analyses of variance were performed to compare the lumbar kinematics and trunk muscle activity among different psychological pressure conditions. The lumbar flexion angle throughout the bat swing in the swing phase, from the moment of ground contact of the lead foot to the moment of ball contact, was significantly larger under the pressure and emphasized pressure conditions than under the non-pressure condition (P

Motor evoked potential (MEP), which was elicited by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), has been widely used to detect corticospinal projection from TMS cortical site to trunk muscles. It can help to find the stimulation hotspot in the scalp. However, it fails to precisely describe coordinated activities of trunk muscle groups with only single-channel myoelectric signal. In this study, we aimed to use high-density surface electromyography (sEMG) to explore the effect of cortical TMS on lumbar paravertebral muscles in healthy subjects. The cortical site at 1 cm anterior and 4 cm lateral to vertex was chosen to simulate using a single-pulse TMS with different intensities and forward-bending angles. A high-density electrode array (45 channels) was placed on the surface of lumbar paravertebral muscles to record sEMG signals during a TMS experiment. MEP signals elicited by TMS were extracted from 45-channel recordings and one topographic map of the MEP amplitudes with six spatial features was constructed at each sampling point. The results showed TMS could successfully evoke an oval area with high intensity in the MEP topographic map, while this area mainly located in ipsilateral side of the TMS site. Intensity features related to the high intensity area rose significantly with TMS intensity and forward-bending angle increasing, but location features showed no change. The optimal stimulation parameters were 80% of maximum stimulator output (MSO) for TMS intensity and 30/60 degree for forward-bending angle. This study provided a potentially effective mapping tool to explore the hotspot for transcranial stimulation on trunk muscles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of hip joint abduction an-gle change on trunk muscle activities during plank exercise. Materials and methods: This study was conducted with 34 subjects but 4 subjects dropped out during the measurement and 30 subjects completed the study. Muscle activities were measured while performing plank exercise with hip joint abduction angles at 0, 15, 30, or 45 degrees. Electrodes were placed on four muscles: rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, and erector spinae muscles. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze the interaction between hip joint abduction angle and trunk muscle activities. One-way repeated measures ANOVA was performed to determine trunk muscle activities of each muscle at each hip joint abduction angle. Eta-squared (η2) values were used to determine effect sizes. Results: A significant interaction was found between hip joint abduction angle and muscle type (p < 0.05). Hip joint abduction angle was significantly associated with rectus abdominis and erector spinae activities (p < 0.05). Conclusions: When the hip joint is abducted during plank exercise in healthy young adults, the muscle activities of rectus abdominis and erector spinae are inversely proportional to hip joint abduction angles.

Background: Physical inactivity due to cachexia and muscle wasting is well recognized as a sign of poor prognosis in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, there have been no reports on the relationship between trunk muscle measurements and energy expenditure parameters, such as the total energy expenditure (TEE) and physical activity level (PAL), in COPD. In this study, we investigated the associations of computed tomography (CT)-derived muscle area and density measurements with clinical parameters, including TEE and PAL, in patients with or at risk for COPD, and examined whether these muscle measurements serve as an indicator of TEE and PAL.Methods: The study population consisted of 36 male patients with (n = 28, stage 1-4) and at risk for (n = 8) COPD aged over 50 years. TEE was measured by the doubly labeled water method, and PAL was calculated as the TEE/basal metabolic rate estimated by the indirect method. The cross-sectional areas and densities of the pectoralis muscles, rectus abdominis muscles, and erector spinae muscles were measured. We evaluated the relationship between these muscle measurements and clinical outcomes, including body composition, lung function, muscle strength, TEE, and PAL.Results: All the muscle areas were significantly associated with TEE, severity of emphysema, and body composition indices such as body mass index, fat-free mass, and trunk muscle mass. All trunk muscle densities were correlated with PAL. The product of the rectus abdominis muscle area and density showed the highest association with TEE (r = 0.732) and PAL (r = 0.578). Several trunk muscle measurements showed significant correlations with maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures, indicating their roles in respiration.Conclusions: CT-derived measurements for trunk muscles are helpful in evaluating physical status and function in patients with or at risk for COPD. Particularly, trunk muscle evaluation may be a useful marker reflecting TEE and PAL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A considerable portion of the elderly population are increasingly afflicted by degenerative spinal deformity (DSD), which seriously affects patient health-related quality of life (HRQoL). HRQoL index is used across many studies to show correlations between radio-graphical alignment, disability, and pain in patients with DSD. However, imaged structural deformity represents only one aspect for consideration, namely, the disability effect of DSD. We assessed the isokinetic strength of trunk muscle in patients with degenerative spinal deformity (DSD), and investigated its relationship with HRQoL.Methods: In total, 38 patients with DSD (DSD group) and 32 healthy individuals (control group) were recruited. Both groups were homogeneous for age, weight, height and body mass index (BMI). Assessments were performed using the isokinetic dynamometer IsoMed-2000; trunk extensor, flexor strength and flexion/extension (F/E) ratios were explored concentrically at speeds of 30°, 60° and 120° per second. The grip strength of both hands was measured using a hand-held dynamometer. Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), a Roland-Morris disability questionnaire (RDQ), and a 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) evaluated patient HRQoL. Correlations between trunk strength and HRQoL were analyzed.Results: When compared with the control group, the DSD group showed lower trunk extensor strength at three velocity movements, and higher F/E ratios at 60° and 120°/s (p < 0.05). Both groups exhibited similar trunk flexor strength and grip strength (p > 0.05). In DSD group, trunk extensor strength at 60°/s was negatively associated with ODI and RDQ (p < 0.05). A negative relationship between trunk flexor strength at 120°/s and ODI was also recorded (p < 0.05). In addition, trunk extensor strength at 60°/s and trunk flexor strength at 120°/s were positively correlated with physical functioning and role-physical scores according to the SF-36 (p < 0.05).Conclusions: We identified isolated trunk extensor myopathy in DSD, which causes an imbalance in trunk muscle strength. Isokinetic trunk extensor strength at 60°/s and trunk flexor strength at 120°/s can predict disability, and decrease physical HRQoL in DSD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychological pressure during sports competition disturbs the ideal physical movement and causes injury. Baseball batting frequently causes trunk injuries. This study aimed to examine the influence of psychological pressure on the lumbar kinematics and trunk muscle activity during the baseball batting. Fourteen collegiate baseball players participated in this study. The participants performed bat swings under three different psychological conditions (non-pressure, pressure, and emphasized pressure). The lumbar kinematics and trunk muscle activity were measured during each bat swing. One- and two-way analyses of variance were performed to compare the lumbar kinematics and trunk muscle activity among different psychological pressure conditions. The lumbar flexion angle throughout the bat swing in the swing phase, from the moment of ground contact of the lead foot to the moment of ball contact, was significantly larger under the pressure and emphasized pressure conditions than under the non-pressure condition (P<0.05). The bilateral lumbar erector spinae (LES) activities in the swing and follow-through phases were significantly higher under the emphasized pressure condition than under the non-pressure condition (P<0.05). These results indicate that the baseball batting under psychological pressure influenced the lumbar kinematics and bilateral LES activities and may be related to the development of low back pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Walking as a simple, safe, low-cost and easy available therapeutic exercise needs to be investigated more in patients with chronic low back pain. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of 10%-incline treadmill walking on back muscle endurance, pain, and disability and fear of movement in patients with chronic low back pain. Materials and Methods: Participants were divided into two groups of control (standard physiotherapy and walking on level treadmill, n = 6) and experimental (standard physiotherapy and 10%-incline treadmill walking, n = 5). Patients treated three times every week for four weeks. Muscle endurance, fear of activity, pain and disability were measured by modified Sorensen test, fear avoidance belief questionnaire, visual analogue scale and Oswestry disability questionnaire, respectively, before and after the study and two month after the treatment. Results: Between-group differences in back muscle endurance after the treatment (P = 0.01) and at follow-up time (P = 0.04) were significant. In intervention group, the changes in back muscle endurance (P = 0.53), pain (P = 0.26), disability (P = 0.50) and fear avoidance belief (P = 0.89) variables were not significant. In control group, the changes in back muscle endurance (P = 0.19), pain (P = 0.57), disability (P = 0.22), and fear avoidance belief (P = 0.23) variables were not significant. Between-group changes in pain (0.14), disability (P = 0.71) and fear avoidance belief (P = 0.27) variables were not significant. Conclusion: There is significant difference in the level of increased back muscle endurance between the 10% and base inclination groups. It seems that base inclination is more effective.

Design: This is a cross-sectional study. Setting: University research laboratory. Participants: Fifteen healthy adults (mean age: 27.47 years) volunteered for this study. Intervention: The individuals performed standard bridge exercise and modified bridge exercises with right leg-lift (single-leg-lift bridge exercise, single-leg-lift bridge exercise on an unstable surface, and single-leg-lift hip abduction bridge exercise). Main outcome measures: During the bridge exercises, electromyography of the rectus abdominis, internal oblique, erector spinae, and multifidus muscles was recorded using a wireless surface electromyography system. Two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (exercise by side) with post hoc pairwise comparisons using Bonferroni correction was used to compare the electromyography data collected from each muscle. Results: Bilateral internal oblique muscle activities showed significantly greater during singleleg- lift bridge exercise (95% confidence interval: right internal oblique = -8.99 to -1.08, left internal oblique = -6.84 to -0.10), single-leg-lift bridge exercise on an unstable surface (95% confidence interval: right internal oblique = -7.32 to -1.78, left internal oblique = -5.34 to -0.99), and single-leg-lift hip abduction bridge exercise (95% confidence interval: right internal oblique = -17.13 to -0.89, left internal oblique = -8.56 to -0.60) compared with standard bridge exercise. Bilateral rectus abdominis showed greater electromyography activity during single-leg-lift bridge exercise on an unstable surface (95% confidence interval: right rectus abdominis = -9.33 to -1.13, left rectus abdominis = -4.80 to -0.64) and single-leg-lift hip abduction bridge exercise (95% confidence interval: right rectus abdominis = -14.12 to -1.84, left rectus abdominis = -6.68 to -0.16) compared with standard bridge exercise. In addition, the right rectus abdominis muscle activity was greater during single-leg-lift hip abduction bridge exercise compared with single-leg-lift bridge exercise on an unstable surface (95% confidence interval = -7.51 to -0.89). For erector spinae, muscle activity was greater in right side compared with left side during all exercises (95% confidence interval: standard bridge exercise = 0.19-4.53, single-leg-lift bridge exercise = 0.24-10.49, single-leg-lift bridge exercise on an unstable surface = 0.74-8.55, single-leg-lift hip abduction bridge exercise = 0.47-11.43). There was no significant interaction and main effect for multifidus. Conclusions: Adding hip abduction and unstable conditions to bridge exercises may be useful strategy to facilitate the co-activation of trunk muscles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Activity of trunk muscles is essential for the stability of lumbar spine because of the unstable structure of that portion of the spine. Also stabilization of the core and pelvis are necessary for all movements of the extremities. In order to investigate how function of the central nervous system in landing on trunk muscles . With this situation the timing component of the muscles of trunk were evaluated during landing. Material and Methods:: In this quasi-experimental study to examine onset of trunk muscles 15 male subjects with no history of low back pain studied. Surface EMG of gluteus medius, Erector spine and Internal Oblique was recorded and EMG onset was assessed during landing. The time of foot contact was assessed by a sensitive surface during landing.Results: Findings of this study indicated that lumbar muscles activity occurring prior to touch of foot with ground. Conclusion: Result suggest that the central nervous system deal with stabilization of the spine by contraction of the core muscle in anticipation of perturbation produced by touch of foot with ground.