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Background Children with Down Syndrome (DS) present with neuromuscular disturbances leading to delayed developmental milestones, poor quality of movement and poor balance. The aim of this study is to discuss the role of trunk muscle strength in the functional performance of children with DS. Methodology 28 children were recruited in the study, 14 with DS and 14 age and gender-matched controls. Trunk muscle strength, reaching ability and balance were assessed using a Handheld Dynamometer, Modified Functional Reach test and Pediatric Balance Scale, respectively. Results Children with DS present with poorer trunk muscle strength, reaching ability and balance as compared to typically developing (TD) children. There was a positive correlation between trunk muscle strength and lateral reaching in children with DS. A strong to moderate correlation was observed between the trunk muscle strength and balance in children with DS. Discussion Children with DS demonstrated a significantly weak trunk muscle groups. Lateral reaching distance is reduced due to the poor proximal control and they present with near-normal forward reach distance attributed to compensation using the lower trunk muscles. They exhibit poor balance in the components that require a small base of support. Conclusion Children with DS exhibit weak trunk muscles along with lesser reaching distance and poor balance. Also, trunk muscle strength influences lateral reaching ability. Trunk muscle strength, mainly trunk extensors impacted functional balance in sitting, standing and while performing transfers.

This study investigated age-related changes in trunk muscle function in healthy men and the moderating effect of physical activity. Twelve older (67.3 ± 6.0 years) and 12 younger (24.7 ± 3.1 years) men performed isokinetic trunk flexion and extension tests across a range of angular velocities (15°/s–180°/s) and contractile modes (concentric and eccentric). For concentric trunk extension, mixed-effects analysis of covariance revealed a significant interaction between Angular velocity × Age group (p = .026) controlling for physical activity. Follow-up univariate analysis of covariance revealed that the younger group produced significantly greater peak torque for all concentric extension conditions. Eccentric trunk strength was somewhat preserved in the older group. Age-related changes in trunk strength were independent of physical activity. The normal loss of trunk muscle strength in older age is muscle- and contractile-mode specific. These findings provide guidance for effective intervention strategies to offset adverse health outcomes related to trunk strength loss in older adults.

Made available in DSpace on 2022-05-01T09:31:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-11-01 Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Objectives: To compare trunk muscle endurance among females and males with and without patellofemoral pain (PFP), and to investigate the correlations between trunk muscle endurance and performance of the single leg hop test (SLHT) and forward step-down test (FSDT). Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Laboratory-based study. Participants: 110 females and 38 males with PFP, 61 females and 31males without PFP. Main outcome measures: Anterior and lateral trunk muscle endurance were assessed with the prone and bilateral side-bridge tests, respectively. Performance during the SLHT and FSDT was also assessed. Results: Lower anterior and lateral trunk muscle endurance were identified in females (p

الملخص: أهداف البحث: تقييم ذروة عزم الدوران ومتوسط قوة العضلات القابضة والباسطة للعمود الفقري لدى المراهقين الذين تتراوح أعمارهم بين ١٢ ١٨ عاما ومعرفة ما إذا كان هناك اختلاف في أداء عضلات الجذع باختلاف نوع مؤشر كتلة الجسم. طرق البحث: تم قياس ذروة عزم الدوران ومتوسط قوة العضلات القابضة والباسطة للعمود الفقري لدى ١٨٠ شخصا (تتراوح أعمارهم من ١٢ إلى ١٨ عاما) تم تصنيفهم الى أربع مجموعات وفقا لمؤشر كتلة الجسم. كما تم إجراء التقييم باستخدام جهاز الايزوكينيتك حيث تم تقييم ذروة عزم الدوران ومتوسط قوة العضلات القابضة والباسطة للعمود الفقري بسرعات ٦٠ درجة و١٢٠ درجة / ثانية. وتم تحليل البيانات باستخدام تحليل التباين متعدد الاتجاهات لتحديد ما إذا كانت هناك أي فروق ذات دلالة إحصائية بين المجموعات الأربع. النتائج: أشارت نتائج تحليل التباين متعدد الاتجاهات إلى انخفاض في قوة عضلات الجذع مع زيادة مؤشر كتلة الجسم. وكذلك أوضحت النتائج ارتفاعا ملحوظا في عزم الدوران ومتوسط قوة عضلات الجذع في مجموعة الأشخاص ذوي الوزن الطبيعي مقارنة بالأشخاص الذين يعانون من نقص الوزن وزيادة الوزن والسمنة. وأيضا أظهرت نتائج معامل ارتباط بيرسون وجود ارتباطا معنويا سلبيا بين الوزن وعزم دوران الذروة للعضلات القابضة والباسطة للعمود الفقري. وكان هناك ارتباط سلبي ملحوظ بين الوزن ومتوسط قوة هذه العضلات. الاستنتاجات: خلصت هذه الدراسة إلى وجود علاقة سلبية بين مؤشر كتلة الجسم وعزم الدوران الأقصى ومتوسط قوة عضلات الجذع والعضلات القابضة والباسطة للظهر. وبالتالي يجب أن تتضمن برامج إعادة التأهيل للمراهقين الذين يعانون من زيادة الوزن والسمنة برنامج لتقوية عضلات الظهر بهدف تحسين فاعلية تلك التدخلات العلاجية وبالتالي تحسين نوعية حياة هؤلاء الأشخاص. Abstract: Objective: This study aims to evaluate the isokinetic performance for the peak torque and average power of the spinal flexor and extensor muscles in adolescents aged 12 to 18 years. The study also analyses the differences between the trunk muscle peak torque and average power with body mass index (BMI). Method: The peak torque and average power of the trunk flexor and extensor muscles were measured in 180 adolescents (aged 12–18 years). The participants were classified into four groups according to BMI. The Biodex isokinetic dynamometer in concentric mode at speeds of 60° and 120°/sec was used for assessment. Results: One-way multivariate analysis of variance MANOVA results demonstrated a significant difference in trunk muscle peak torque and average power with different BMI (F = 14.692, p = 0.0005). A Pearson's correlation analysis demonstrated a significantly negative correlation between weight and peak torque of trunk flexors and extensors (r = - 0.43, p = 0.0001; r = −0.31, p = 0.007, respectively). Finally, the results showed a negative correlation between weight and average power of trunk flexors and extensors (r = −0.54, p = 0.0001; r = −0.31, p = 0.007). Conclusion: In this study, overweight and obese adolescents are found to be correlated with decreased trunk muscle torque and power. Thus, therapeutic interventions for overweight and obese adolescents, along with exercise training programmes, may help improve muscle performance including peak torque and power. Finally, these measures may enhance the quality of life of such adolescents.

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

Objetivos: Verificar o comportamento da força muscular de extensores e flexores do tronco conforme a idade e o nível de atividade física, além de comparar jovens inativas vs. idosas ativas sobre a força muscular. Métodos: Participaram da pesquisa 28 jovens e 30 idosas inativas fisicamente, as quais posteriormente se tornaram ativas, com a inclusão de atividade física em suas rotinas. As participantes foram avaliadas quanto à força isométrica máxima dos músculos extensores e flexores do tronco, por meio da utilização de uma célula de carga conectada a um assento estável de madeira, que isolou musculatura do quadril de maneira a ativar a musculatura do tronco. Testes t para amostras dependentes e independentes foram utilizados para a análise em relação a idade e o nível de atividade física. O nível de significância adotado foi ≤ 5%. Resultados: Quanto à força dos extensores e flexores do tronco, mulheres jovens e idosas ativas fisicamente possuíam um maior nível de força quando comparadas à condição inativa. Com relação a comparação entre jovens inativas e idosas ativas, foi verificado que as idosas apresentaram níveis semelhantes de força dos músculos extensores quando comparadas com as jovens. Conclusão: A força de flexores e extensores do tronco é influenciada pelos fatores idade e nível de atividade física. Idosas ativas fisicamente possuem o mesmo nível de força dos músculos extensores do tronco que mulheres jovens inativas.

BACKGROUND: During one-leg standing (OLS), optimum activity of the gluteus medius (Gmed), multifidus (MF), and quadratus lumborum (QL) muscles relies upon maintaining neutral lumbopelvic alignment. However, no studies have examined how using pressure biofeedback during OLS affects the activity of these muscles and the concomitant alignment of the pelvis and trunk. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of pressure biofeedback on the activity of the Gmed, MF, and QL and the femoropelvic and trunk lean angles during OLS. METHODS: Twenty-four healthy males performed OLS with (PB+) and without (PB-) pressure biofeedback. For all OLS conditions, a pressure sensor was placed between the lateral surface of the humerus on the non-supporting side and the wall. Under the PB- condition, participants performed preferred OLS while the examiner measured the maximum pressure caused by trunk lean. Under the PB+ condition, participants were asked to perform at a threshold of 50% of the maximal pressure (PB+ 1 condition) and with minimal change in pressure (PB+ 2 condition). Muscle activities of MF, QL, and Gmed as well as the femoropelvic and trunk lean angles were measured under various OLS conditions. RESULTS: The activity of the Gmed, MF, and QL was greater under both PB+ conditions than under the PB- condition (p< 0.05). Also, both PB+ conditions resulted in a greater femoropelvic angle and reduced trunk lean angle. There were no significant differences in muscle activity, femoropelvic angle, or trunk lean angle between PB+ 1 and PB+ 2 (p> 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that pressure biofeedback is a useful modality for increasing the activity of the Gmed and trunk muscles, especially the MF muscle on the non-supporting leg side, and for preventing compensatory movements such as trunk deviation and pelvic lateral deviation during OLS.

[Purpose] Although lifting tasks has been recognized as a primary risk factor in low back pain, the concept of lifting asymmetry is relatively new subject. To address trunk function, biomechanical studies generally measure trunk muscle activity using surface electromyography (EMG). But so far, magnitude and similarity index (SI) obtained from EMG have not been studied as indicators of the motor control during lifting task. So, the purpose of this study is to compare the trunk muscles magnitude and SI during symmetric and asymmetric lifting. [Subjects and Methods] A total of 20 healthy male with no history of lumbar spine disorders participated. Surface electromyography data were recorded from the 7 trunk muscles while the participants performed symmetric and asymmetric lifting and lowering different loads. [Results] According to Multivariate ANOVAs the phase of motion (lifting, lowering) and condition (symmetry, asymmetry) have a significant effect on SI and magnitude (p≤0.05). Load changes have no effect on SI (p=0.969) but have a significant effect on magnitude (p≤0.05). The magnitude and SI value is higher in asymmetrical lifting and lowering compare to symmetrical condition. [Conclusion] The findings reveal the SI value is higher in asymmetric conditions. This means that the amount of muscles co-contracture increased during asymmetrical conditions. Increased muscles co-contracture reinforces the hypothesis of exerting more compression on the spine in asymmetrical movement. Keywords: Asymmetrical lifting, Motor control, Electromyography

Inspite of common lifting advice to maintain a lordotic posture, there is debate regarding optimal lumbar spine posture during lifting. To date, the influence of lumbar posture on trunk muscle recruitment, strength and efficiency during high intensity lifting has not been fully explored.How do differences in lumbar posture influence trunk extensor strength (moment), trunk muscle activity, and neuromuscular efficiency during maximal lifting?Twenty-six healthy participants adopted three lumbar postures (maximal extension (lordotic), mid-range (flat-back), and fully flexed) in a free lifting position. Motion analysis and force measurements were used to determine the back extensor, hip and knee moments. Surface electromyography (EMG) of three trunk extensors and the internal obliques were recorded. Neuromuscular efficiency (NME) was expressed as a ratio of normalised extensor moment to normalised EMG.Significantly higher back extensor moments were exerted when moving from an extended to mid-range, and from a mid-range to fully flexed lumbar posture. This was accompanied by a decrease in activity across all three back extensor muscles (P 0.001) resulting in a higher NME of these muscles in more flexed postures. Change in lumbar posture did not influence hip or knee moments or internal oblique activation.A flexed-back posture is associated with increased strength and efficiency of the back muscles compared to a lordotic posture. These findings further question the manual handling advice to lift with a lordotic lumbar spine.

The functional importance of trunk muscle strength for running movement is widely recognised, but the kinematic effects of undertaking specific training are unclear. This study investigated the change in joint angle and its variability during running following trunk muscle training. Eighteen young female and novice runners participated. Using Plug-in-gait model with infrared markers attached to the body surface, the lower limb and lumber angles during running were measured, and the variability was examined by calculating the coefficient variation and Lyapunov exponent. Measurements of trunk endurance were also performed. Over four weeks of training, the subjects performed trunk muscle endurance trainings three times a week. Following this intervention, trunk endurance was found to have significantly increased. The Lyapunov exponent of lumbar flexion-extension angle also significantly increased. Moreover, a decreased range of the ankle angle and increased range of the hip angle were observed following the training. These results demonstrate that the trunk training promoted adjustments to lumbar movement and altered the movement patterns of the participants' lower limbs during running.

Research examining the measurement of trunk muscle strength after stroke is limited and diverse. This review, therefore, was undertaken to summarize research addressing what is known about measurements of trunk muscle strength after stroke.Potentially relevant research was identified via 3 electronic database searches and a hand search. The research was examined for information on patients, measurement procedures and study findings. Findings regarding measurement properties (ie, validity, reliability, and responsiveness) were of particular interest.Searches identified 260 potentially relevant articles of which 28 met inclusion and exclusion criteria. Research involving diverse populations and measurement procedures demonstrates that trunk muscle strength is impaired after stroke. Many studies show that measurements of trunk muscle strength have known-groups/conditions and convergent validity with balance and performance of functional activities. The literature also supports the reliability of measurements of trunk strength after stroke. Little is known regarding the responsiveness of the measurements.Trunk strength is commonly impaired after stroke. As weakness of the trunk muscles can affect balance and function, it may warrant routine measurement.

Background: At high level of competition, sports require long periods of hard physical work. Each athlete should be able to perform desired actions efficiently, which will not be possible without coordinated activation of muscles in the kinetic chain. EMG studies demonstrate that lumbar paraspinal muscles fatigue is associated with Quadriceps Inhibition (QI), leading to speculation that these changes may not only have adverse effect for athletic performance but also increase the risk of injury in long term. This contrasts the evidence about the influence of fatigue on trunk muscles reflex activity. Method: 37 athletes (men) were recruited from city soccer clubs. The participants performed sub maximal isometric exercise of lower back extensors (Ito’s test) to induce fatigue. The two protocols were a single bout and repeated bouts of Lumbar Extension Isometric Exercise (LEIE). The Agility scores recorded at baseline, after single bout and after repeated bouts of LEIE were compared. Conclusion: The two experimental interventions differently affected the agility performance in the sample. On one hand, single bout intervention led to improved performance, repeated bout intervention resulted in relative deterioration of performance.

[Purpose] The external and internal abdominal muscles may be related to gait speed; however, this has not yet been elucidated. In this study, we aimed to clarify the relationship between gait speed and trunk muscle thickness in elderly individuals. [Participants and Methods] The participants were 12 elderly individuals (4 males and 8 females, mean age 83.4 years old, SD ± 0.5) that attend a day service center. We measured the 5 m free gait speed, the 5 m fastest gait speed, and the thickness of five trunk muscles (the rectus abdominis [divided into three parts: upper, central, and lower], external oblique, internal oblique, transverse abdominis, and iliopsoas muscles). [Results] There were positive correlations between the free gait speed and the thickness of the lower rectus abdominis, internal oblique, and transverse abdominis muscles. There were also positive correlations between the fastest gait speed and the thickness of the lower rectus abdominis, internal oblique, and transverse abdominis muscles. [Conclusion] Incorporating muscle strength training of the lower rectus abdominis, internal oblique, and transverse abdominis muscles into existing lower limb muscle training protocols is important to effectively maintain the gait speed of elderly individuals.

In recent years, several studies have investigated upper-limb motion in a variety of scenarios including motor control, physiology, rehabilitation and industry. Such applications assess people’s kinematics and muscular performances, focusing on typical movements that simulate daily-life tasks. However, often only a limited interpretation of the EMG patterns is provided. In fact, rarely the assessments separate phasic (movement-related) and tonic (postural) EMG components, as well as the EMG in the acceleration and deceleration phases. With this paper, we provide a comprehensive and detailed characterization of the activity of upper-limb and trunk muscles in healthy people point-to-point upper limb movements. Our analysis includes in-depth muscle activation magnitude assessment, separation of phasic (movement-related) and tonic (postural) EMG activations, directional tuning, distinction between activations in the acceleration and deceleration phases. Results from our study highlight a predominant postural activity with respect to movement related muscular activity. The analysis based on the acceleration phase sheds light on finer motor control strategies, highlighting the role of each muscle in the acceleration and deceleration phase. The results of this study are applicable to several research fields, including physiology, rehabilitation, design of robots and assistive solutions, exoskeletons., Graphical abstract Image 1, Highlights • Upper-limb motion is assessed with kinematics and EMG in many scenarios: motor control, physiology, rehabilitation, industry • Separation of phasic (movement-related) and tonic (postural) EMG, and of acceleration and deceleration phases • Comprehensive and detailed characterization of the EMG of upper-limb and trunk muscles in point-to-point upper limb movements • EMG magnitude assessment, phasic and tonic EMG activations, directional tuning, acceleration and deceleration phases

Background: Patients with low back pain (LBP) experience misalignments in the center of pressure (COP) and muscle imbalances due to frequent onesided posture adjustments to avoid pain.Objectives: To identify the effects of Squat Exercises with Vertical Whole-Body Vibration on the Center of Pressure and Trunk Muscle Activity.Design: Randomized controlled trial.Methods: Thirty LBP patients with an imbalance in the COP were sampled and randomly assigned to an experimental group of 15 patients who under went an intervention involving squat exercises with vertical WBV and a control group of 15 patients who were treated via a walking intervention. As pretests before the interventions, the subjects’ COP was identified by measuring their stability index (ST), and erector spinae, rectus abdominis, transverse abdominis, gluteus medius muscle activity was analyzed by determining the % reference voluntary contraction (%RVC) value using surface electromyography while sit to stand. After four weeks, a post test was conducted to remeasure the same variables using the same methods.Results: Statistically significant differences were found in the ST (P

Objective: In wheelchair rugby (WR) athletes with tetraplegia, wheelchair performance may be impaired due to (partial) loss of innervation of upper extremity and trunk muscles, and low blood pressure (BP). The objective was to assess the effects of electrical stimulation (ES)-induced co-contraction of trunk muscles on trunk stability, arm force/power, BP, and WR performance. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Rehabilitation research laboratory and WR court. Participants: Eleven WR athletes with tetraplegia. Interventions: ES was applied to the rectus abdominis, obliquus externus abdominis and erector spinae muscles. For every test, the ES condition was compared to the non-ES condition. Outcome measures: Stability was assessed with reaching tasks, arm force/power with an isokinetic test on a dynamometer, BP during an ES protocol and WR skill performance with the USA Wheelchair Rugby Skill Assessment. Results: Overall reaching distance (ES 14.6 ± 7.5 cm, non-ES 13.4 ± 8.2 cm), and BP showed a significant increase with ES. Arm force (ES 154 ± 106 N, non-ES 148 ± 102 N) and power (ES 37 ± 26 W, non-ES 36 ± 25 W), and WR skills were not significantly improved. Conclusion: ES-induced trunk muscle activation positively affects trunk stability and BP, but not arm force/power. No effects were found in WR skill performance, probably due to abdominal strapping. More research is needed to assess different ES (training) protocols and longitudinal effects.

Purpose: Many studies have reported increased muscle activities in treatments using kinesio tape. However, most studies have focused on only muscles, so the effects of kinesio tape on structures other than the muscles are unknown. The purpose of this study is to explore the effect of kinesio tape for the fascia on trunk muscle activity during plank. Methods: Eighteen healthy participants took part in this study. The participants were asked to perform the plank in two conditions: on stable surface and unstable surface. Two kinesio tapes were attached along the spiral line introduced in the anatomy train. EMG was measured in each condition. EMG data were collected before and after attaching kinesio tape in each condition. Repeated analysis of variance (repeated ANOVA) was conducted to compare EMG activities levels between conditions. Results: EMG activities levels of trunk muscles, especially rectus abdominis and erector spinae activities were significantly increased dur ing the plank with KT on both stable and unstable surfaces. Conclusion: KT applying on the fascia of targeted muscle increases the muscle activity. Therefore, we can also focus on the fascia to in crease muscle activities not only on muscles.

Purpose: Functional disability, impaired balance, and trunk muscle endurance are among the major changes in patients with Non-specific Chronic Low Back Pain (NCLBP). Investigating the relationship between these factors and Functional Movement Screen (FMS) can facilitate effective pain management and functional problems in these patients. This study aimed to assess the relationships between FMS and pain, dynamic balance, and trunk muscle endurance in military personnel with NCLBP. Methods: The present study was of a correlational research design. The study subjects were 50 male military personnel with NCLBP (Mean±SD age=33.30±3.94 y, height= 175.32±5.50 cm, & weight=74.05±3.64 kg). FMS was evaluated by FMS tests and pain severity was assessed through Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale; the dynamic balance was evaluated by Y-Balance Test (YBT), and the trunk muscle endurance was measured by the ITO test. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS. Pearson correlation coefficient at a significance level of P

EnglishIntroduction:Aging can cause physiological and functional changes, and these, in turn, can lead to a decline in functions and functional capacity, thus generating a compromise in autonomy and mobility, and increasing the risk of falls. Aging is also associated with biological changes that compromise inspiratory muscle function. There are studies that have shown that all trunk muscles work together with the function of protecting the spine and preserving postural control, including inspiratory muscles, however, the diaphragm's role in breathing always takes precedence over postural function. Objective:To verify the influence of the increase in inspiratory demand on postural stability in the elderly, through a case study. Methods:Three elderly people initially performedthe maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) assessment, and then underwent a postural stability test. In the Biodex Balance System SD, they performed the protocol of the device called 'Postural Stability Test' (PST), in order to assess the instability index under two different conditions. In the first condition, the elderly performed the test and could breathe normally, without making efforts and trying to stay balanced on the equipment platform; in the second condition, the elderly were evaluated performing breathing using the Power Breathe® equipment and using a nasal clip. To achieve this condition of increased inspiratory demand, an overload of 50% of the MIP value was adopted, assessed at the beginning. Results:In the anterior-posterior oscillations, all the elderly individuals presented a higher rate of instability in the test with an increase in inspiratory demand and for the right-left oscillations, two of the evaluated elderly individuals presented a higher rate of instability in this condition. Conclusion:The increase in inspiratory demand provided by the Power Breathe® device was able to alter the balance of the elderly, increasing the postural instability of the individuals evaluated. We consider that for more clarifying results it is necessary to carry out a randomized controlled study with a larger sample. portuguesIntroducao: O envelhecimento provoca alteracoes fisiologicas e funcionais, declinio das funcoes e da capacidade funcional, compromentendo a autonomia e mobilidade, aumentando o risco de quedas; tambem esta associado a alteracoes biologicas que comprometem a funcao muscular inspiratoria. Existem estudos que mostraram que toda musculatura do tronco trabalha conjuntamente com a funcao de proteger a coluna e preservar o controle postural, incluindo os musculos inspiratorios, porem, o papel do diafragma na respiracao sempre toma precedencia sobre a funcao postural. Objetivo: Verificar a influencia dos musculos inspiratorios na estabilidade postural de idosos. Metodos: Tres idosos, realizaram avaliacao da pressao inspiratoria maxima (PImax), em seguida no Biodex Balance System SD realizaram o 'Postural Stability Test' (PST), nas condicoes de respiracao livre e com respiracao atraves do equipamento Power Breathe®, com sobrecarga de 50% do valor da PImax. Resultados: Nas oscilacoes anterior-posterior todos os idosos apresentaram maior indice de instabilidade no teste com aumento da demanda inspiratoria e para as oscilacoes direita-esquerda dois idosos apresentaram maior indice de instabilidade nessa condicao. Conclusao: O aumento na demanda inspiratoria fornecido pelo dispositivo Power Breathe® foi capaz de alterar a equilibrio de idosos, ainda que devemos considerar que para resultados mais esclarecedores seja necessario a realizacao de um estudo maior.

The first period of mature age (21-35 years) of women is characterized by the beginning of involutionary processes in the body and a decrease in the motor abilities of women, and the solution to this problem is possible by optimizing their motor activity. An important factor in training for mature women is to ensure a positive effect on the functional state of the muscles of the torso. Classes in dance types of health-improving motor activity (in particular, bellydance- fitness) have a positive effect on the psycho-emotional state of women and the state of their musculoskeletal system. The work is devoted to the research of the influence of the practice of bellydance-fitness (fitness with movements of oriental dance) on the functional state of the trunk muscles of women of the first period of mature age. Indicators of physical qualities such as static and dynamic strength endurance of torso muscles; spinal mobility in women engaged in bellydance-fitness were studied. Indicators of physical preparedness of women with less than 4 months of training and women with 2-3 years of training were compared. It was a positive effect of bellydance-fitness on the level of functional state of the torso muscles of women. Women with 2-3 years of training are characterized by a higher level of strength of the muscles of the torso and mobility of the spine than women with less than 4 months of training. The results of the research give grounds to recommend the use of bellydance-fitness as a means of improving the functional state of the torso muscles of women.

Background Abdominal draw-in maneuver (ADIM) has been recommended to achieve appropriate trunk muscle response for patients with non-specific chronic low back pain (CLBP). However, it has remained unclear whether the intervention with ADIM could change the trunk muscle response to sudden release from loading, which is considered to contribute mechanical circumstances to low back pain. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of the intervention with ADIM on electromyography (EMG) activities of trunk muscles following sudden release from loading. Methods Seventeen subjects with non-specific CLBP participated. Subjects resisted trunk flexion or extension loading in semi-seated position, and then the loading was suddenly released. EMG recordings of 6 trunk muscles were acquired using a wireless surface EMG system. Onset and offset times were calculated from the EMG data. The intervention with ADIM was provided for 4 weeks. The onset and offset times were compared between pre- and post-intervention with ADIM. Results At the post-intervention, the onset of trunk flexors following release from trunk flexion loading became significantly earlier than pre-intervention (P = 0.028). The offset of flexors following release from trunk extension loading of post-intervention was significantly earlier than that of pre-intervention (P = 0.001). Conclusions We showed that the intervention with ADIM changed the EMG activity of trunk flexors in response to sudden release from loading. These results suggest a possibility that ADIM might be effective to improve the neuromuscular control of trunk flexors for the treatment of young patients with non-specific CLBP.

Objectives: Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) approach evaluates and activates the spinal stabilizers to optimize the performance of posture and respiratory system. This study investigated the effects of DNS breathing exercises on upper and lower chest wall mobility (UCM and LCM), trunk extensor endurance, and thoracic kyphosis in a group of sedentary students with poor posture. Methods: In this randomized, controlled 6-week trial, 52 participants were randomly divided into two groups: a DNS breathing exercise group (n=26) and a control group (n=26). First, a pre-test of the UCM, LCM, trunk muscle endurance and thoracic kyphosis was done on each participant in random order. DNS breathing exercise protocol (six times a week for six weeks) was implemented and after its completion, all post-test parameters were taken. Descriptive statistical and the paired-sample t test were used to analyze the obtained data. Results: Significant improvements were observed in the post-test compared with pre-test in DNS breathing exercise group in UCM (6.2±1.6 vs 4.4±0.9 cm, P

Balance maintenance in response to a perturbation could be affected by the predictability of the magnitude of the body disturbance. We investigated anticipatory (APAs) and compensatory (CPAs) postural adjustments in response to perturbations of predictable and unpredictable magnitudes. Twenty young adults received series of perturbations of small or large magnitudes the order of which was varied. Electromyographic activity of six leg and trunk muscles and displacements of the center-of-pressure (COP) were recorded. The muscle onset time, integrals of muscle activity, and COP displacements in the anterior-posterior direction were analyzed during the APA and CPA phases. The results indicated that when the participants were exposed to the repeated perturbation magnitude, it became predictable and they generated APAs more precisely according to the magnitudes of the perturbation. Moreover, when the magnitude of perturbation changed unpredictably, the participants overestimated or underestimated the magnitudes of the perturbation, as they generated APAs based on their prior experience of dealing with the perturbation. The optimal adjustment of APAs occurred after five trials of repeated perturbations. The findings imply that the process of APAs and CPAs generation depends on the accuracy of the predictability of perturbation magnitudes.

Background Leaning forward has been accepted as a foundational approach to facilitate trunk-stabilizing muscles in the abdominal and lumbopelvic regions for patients with back pain during rehabilitation. However, how trunk muscles are activated and recruited during leaning forward performed under dynamic upper-extremity motion conditions is not completely understood. Objective To determine whether activation of selected trunk muscles changes depending on shoulder movements during leaning forward exercise in healthy young adults. Methods Twenty-four healthy adults (6 men and 18 women) participated in this study. The participants performed 3 types of leaning forward exercises: leaning forward alone (leaning forward 1), leaning forward with horizontal shoulder abduction (leaning forward 2), and leaning forward with shoulder flexion (leaning forward 3). Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to record activation of the erector spinae (ES), multifidus (MF), rectus abdominis (RA), and internal oblique (IO) on the dominant side. Results There was a significant main effect of exercise type on the activation of the IO, RA, and MF muscles. Activation of the IO and MF during leaning forward 1 was significantly decreased compared to activation in leaning forward 2 and 3; the activation of IO and RA showed the greatest increase during leaning forward 3. Furthermore, the IO/RA ratio was significantly increased during leaning forward 2 and 3 in comparison to leaning forward 1; the MF/ES ratio was also significantly increased during leaning forward 3, compared with leaning forward 1. Conclusion The integration of shoulder movements during leaning forward exercises could be effective in the facilitation of EMG activity of IO and MF muscles, especially with shoulder flexion.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic low back pain has a direct repercussion on the activities of daily living and the alteration of motor control is its main cause. This change leads to instability of the trunk stabilizer systems that control movements. Trunk flexion and extension movements associated with external disturbances may increase the potential for motor control error, resulting in injury and pain. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the recruitment of the trunk stabilizer muscles, with and without load, in the flexion and extension movements of the trunk. METHODS: Thirty - four sedentary women were evaluated, aged between 30 and 59 years, divided into: low back pain group (LBPG n = 19) and control group (CG n = 15). The protocol consisted of clinical evaluation, pain evaluation, strength test of extensor trunk muscles and trunk flexion and extension tests (TFET). Muscle electromyography in internal oblique (IO), lumbar multifidus (LM), rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO) and lumbar iliacus (LI) were performed simultaneously. Multivariate analysis of variance was used with two-way repeated measurements. RESULTS: LBPG presented a trend of greater recruitment in all muscles and loads evaluated, with muscle activation up to 47% higher when compared to CG. In the intergroup comparison, the global muscles demonstrated a tendency for greater activation in LBPG, with values up to 53% higher when compared to CG, and predominantly high effect size d> 0.80. In the intragroup comparison, the IO, EO, LI and LM muscles of the LBPG presented ascending muscle recruitment with increased load the opposite was seen in the CG, which showed increased activation only in the LI and LM muscles. CONCLUSION: Women with low back pain need more muscle recruitment to remain stable and, in challenging situations, use inefficient strategies.

Background: Weakness of the abdominal and mid thoracic muscles the lead to thoracic kyphosis of stroke patients. The trunk muscles activity of stroke patients is significantly related to upper extremity. Objectives: To investigate the effect of seated exercise of thoracic and abdominal muscles on upper extremity function and trunk muscles activity in stroke patients. Design: One-group pretest-posttest design. Methods: A total of 27 stroke patients were recruited. All stroke patient were given seated abdominal exercise (posterior pelvic tilt exercises) and thoracic exercise (postural-correction exercise). All exercises were conducted for 30 minutes, three times a week for four weeks. The manual function test (MFT) and electromyography (EMG) were measured, and EMG electrodes were attached to thoracic paraspinal muscles and lower rectus abdominal muscles. EMG signal is expressed as %RVC (reference voluntary contraction). Results: Experimental group showed significant increases in abdominal muscles, paraspinal muscles activity and MFT total score, items of arm motion (forward elevation of the upper extremity, lateral elevation of the upper extremity, touch the occiput with the palm) in MFT after four weeks. Conclusion: These results suggest that, in stroke patients, seated exercise of thoracic and abdominal muscles contribute to improve trunk muscles activity and upper extremity function in stroke patients.

Most studies addressing the role of vestibulospinal reflexes in balance maintenance have mainly focused on responses in the lower limbs, while limited attention has been paid to the output in trunk and back muscles. To address this issue, we tested whether electromyographic (EMG) responses to galvanic vestibular stimulations (GVS) were modulated similarly in back and leg muscles, in situations where the leg muscle responses to GVS are known to be attenuated. Body sway and surface EMG signals were recorded in the paraspinal and limb muscles of humans (

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 (pConclusion: 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.

Recent evidence indicates that turning difficulty may correlate with trunk control; however, surface electromyography has not been used to explore trunk muscle activity during turning after stroke. This study investigated trunk muscle activation patterns during standing turns in healthy controls (HCs) and patients with stroke with turning difficulty (TD) and no TD (NTD). The participants with stroke were divided into two groups according to the 180° turning duration and number of steps to determine the presence of TD. The activation patterns of the bilateral external oblique and erector spinae muscles of all the participants were recorded during 90° standing turns. A total of 14 HCs, 14 patients with TD, and 14 patients with NTD were recruited. The duration and number of steps in the turning of the TD group were greater than those of the HCs, independent of the turning direction. However, the NTD group had a significantly longer turning duration than did the HC group only toward the paretic side. Their performance was similar when turning toward the non-paretic side; this result is consistent with electromyographic findings. Both TD and NTD groups demonstrated increased amplitudes of trunk muscles compared with the HC groups. Their trunk muscles failed to maintain consistent amplitudes during the entire movement of standing turns in the direction that they required more time or steps to turn toward (i.e., turning in either direction for the TD group and turning toward the paretic side for the NTD group). Patients with stroke had augmented activation of trunk muscles during turning. When patients with TD turned toward either direction and when patients with NTD turned toward the paretic side, the flexible adaptations and selective actions of trunk muscles observed in the HCs were absent. Such distinct activation patterns during turning may contribute to poor turning performance and elevate the risk of falling. Our findings provide insights into the contribution and importance of trunk muscles during turning and the association with TD after stroke. These findings may help guide the development of more effective rehabilitation therapies that target specific muscles for those with TD.

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 &lt, 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.

Postural muscle activity precedes voluntary movements of the upper limbs. The traditional view of this activity is that it anticipates perturbations to balance caused by the movement of a limb. However, findings from reach-based paradigms have shown that postural adjustments can initiate center of mass displacement for mobility rather than minimize its displacement for stability. Within this context, altering reaching distance beyond the base of support would place increasing constraints on equilibrium during stance. If the underlying composition of anticipatory postural activity is linked to stability, coordination between muscles (i.e., motor modules) may evolve differently as equilibrium constraints increase. We analyzed the composition of motor modules in functional trunk muscles as participants performed multidirectional reaching movements to targets within and beyond the arm’s length. Bilateral trunk and reaching arm muscle activity were recorded. Despite different trunk requirements necessary for successful movement, and the changing biomechanical (i.e., postural) constraints that accompany alterations in reach distance, nonnegative matrix factorization identified functional motor modules derived from preparatory trunk muscle activity that shared common features. Relative similarity in modular weightings (i.e., composition) and spatial activation profiles that reflect movement goals across tasks necessitating differing levels of trunk involvement provides evidence that preparatory postural adjustments are linked to the same task priorities (i.e., movement generation rather than stability). NEW & NOTEWORTHY Reaching within and beyond arm’s length places different task constraints upon the required trunk motion necessary for successful movement execution. The identification of constant modular features, including functional muscle weightings and spatial tuning, lend support to the notion that preparatory postural adjustments of the trunk are tied to the same task priorities driving mobility, regardless of the future postural constraints.

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.

[Purpose] Sarcopenia increases the risk of falls and fractures. However, its relationship with walking, which is the generation mechanism of falls, has not been clarified. The purpose of this study was to clarify the trunk muscle strength and the characteristics of walking, in elderly people with sarcopenia. [Participants and Methods] The participants were 40 elderly people aged 65 years and over. The participants were able to walk without assistance and were attending outpatient rehabilitation or community day-care centers. The assessment and measurement items included: the presence or absence of sarcopenia (using the diagnostic criteria of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia), lower limb and trunk muscle strength, and characteristics of walking. The participants were divided into two groups depending on the presence or absence of sarcopenia, and a comparison was made between the two groups. [Results] The participants in the sarcopenia group had significantly lower trunk extension muscle strength as compared to the participants in the non-sarcopenia group. In addition, the hip joint maximum flexion moment, ankle joint maximum plantar flexion moment, and walking velocity of participants in the sarcopenia group were significantly lower than those in the non-sarcopenia group. [Conclusion] This study revealed that weakness of the trunk muscle strength causes a decrease in walking velocity in elderly people with sarcopenia.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to find the immediate as well as short-term effect on pelvic alignment and forward arm reach distance in sitting among stroke patients following thoracic spine and abdominal muscles taping along with conventional therapy. Methods: Thirty subjects with stroke attending the physiotherapy programme at Department of Physiotherapy at a tertiary care hospital underwent this randomized controlled experimental study. Subjects in the experimental group received taping, along with conventional physiotherapy treatment, for restricting thoracic kyphosis and facilitating abdominal muscles. Subjects in the control group received only conventional physiotherapy treatment. To assess the change in pelvic alignment and forward arm reach distance while sitting, Palpation MeterTM (PALMTM) and sit and reach test were used, respectively. Results: In the experimental group, pelvic obliquity was corrected (4.1 ± 0.94) and anterior pelvic tilt revealed improvement (4.9 ± 2.1, p value < 0.001). In the control group, no improvement in pelvic alignment was recorded. Improvement in forward arm reach distance was similar in both groups ( p value = 0.804). Conclusion: Taping as an adjunctive treatment method to physiotherapy can cause immediate as well as short-term improvement of pelvic alignment in sitting, following stroke. It also, immediately improves the sit and reach distance in the same population.

We would like to thank Dr. Siegmund for his Letter to the Editor, which outlined some concerns with the conclusions drawn from our investigation.We agree that epidemiological research has shown tha...