Factors predisposing to low back pain in Great Britain trampolinists: an electromyographic study of erector spinae and rectus abdominus muscle groups
Item
- Title
- Factors predisposing to low back pain in Great Britain trampolinists: an electromyographic study of erector spinae and rectus abdominus muscle groups
- Author(s)
- Edwards Carol
- Abstract
-
ABSTRACT
AIM: The aim of this study was to determine whether a weakness or imbalance in the core stability musculature, (lumbar erector spine and rectus abdominus) are factors which may be predisposing to low back pain (LBP) in a population of Great Britain trampolinists.
INTRODUCTION: Trampoline exhibits high repetition rates, large peak loads, large mechanical impulse forces and high kinetic energy and are present at approximately the same time. Previous research carried out a four year investigative radiological study on trampolinists, resulting in pathological findings for 95.24% of the athletes and severity was linked to the intensity of training. It was found that 68% of trampolinists suffered from pain in various region of the spine. Only 6% were aware of any problems with their spine before they started trampoline. Studies suggest that there are predictable patterns of muscle imbalance and dysfunction evidenced in the lumbar-pelvic-hip complex. There are two functional divisions of muscles: postural (prone to hypertonia) and phasic (prone to hypotonia). Previous studies state that muscle imbalances are learned due to repetitive activity and biased recruitment of more postural or phasic muscles.
METHODOLOGY: 51 subjects (9male/8female non-exercising a-symptomatic individuals and 9male/6female with LBP and 9male/10female without LBP Great Britain Trampolinists. Electromyographic studies of erector spinae and rectus abdominus by means of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) and endurance contractions at MVC via a modified Biering-Sorensen and Kraus-Weber test respectively.
RESULTS: MVC was found to be significantly different (p=<0.05) for erector spinae and rectus abdominus between controls and trampolinists with and without LBP. However, there was no significant difference (p=>0.05) between the two groups of trampolinists. Endurance times were not significantly different for erector spinae between the three groups. However, there was a significant difference for rectus abdominus between controls and trampolinists without LBP, but not between the other two groups. Muscle imbalance between erector spinae and rectus abdominus was found to show a weak positive correlation in trampolinists with LBP and no significant correlation with the other two groups.
DISCUSSION: Trampolinists with LBP have shown to exhibit reduced muscle strength leading to a compromise in the functional capacity of the lumbar spine to over-come and prevent injury. Endurance times suggest that trampolinists with LBP show a decreased endurance time for erector spinae and a resistance to fatigue for rectus abdominus, whereas trampolinists without LBP exhibit an equal endurance time for both muscle groups. This suggests that trampolinists with LBP may show altered movement patterns and an altered effect on the efficiency of the relevant muscle fibre types.
CONCLUSION: The significance of this study is that it demonstrates the strength and weakness of one muscle group in itself does not have specific bearing on low back dysfunction, but rather forms a series of muscles acting as prime movers, stabilisers and synergists that act together to produce movement. The muscle fibre type and distribution, sequence of firing pattern and the movement patterns are more important than the actual weakness tested. These results enable the researcher to suggest that screening for such imbalances in a patient is critical for successful diagnosis and treatment of LBP in trampolinists. - presented at
- British College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Date Accepted
- 0
- Date Submitted
- 1.1.1970 00:00:00
- Type
- osteo_thesis
- Language
- English
- Submitted by:
- 62
- Pub-Identifier
- 13579
- Inst-Identifier
- 1076
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
Edwards Carol, “Factors predisposing to low back pain in Great Britain trampolinists: an electromyographic study of erector spinae and rectus abdominus muscle groups”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed April 23, 2025, https://library.wso.at/s/orw/item/1178