Tolerability and Muscle Activity of Core Muscle Exercises in Chronic Low-back Pain

Joaquín Calatayud, Adrian Escriche-Escuder, Carlos Cruz-Montecinos, Lars L. Andersen, Sofía Pérez-Alenda, Ramón Aiguadé and José Casaña
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Joaquín Calatayud: Exercise Intervention for Health Research Group (EXINH-RG), Department of Physiotherapy, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
Adrian Escriche-Escuder: Department of Physiotherapy, University of Malaga, 29071 Malaga, Spain
Carlos Cruz-Montecinos: Laboratory of Clinical Biomechanics, Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
Lars L. Andersen: National Research Centre for the Working Environment, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
Sofía Pérez-Alenda: Department of Physiotherapy, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
Ramón Aiguadé: Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Lleida, 25003 Lleida, Spain
José Casaña: Exercise Intervention for Health Research Group (EXINH-RG), Department of Physiotherapy, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 19, 1-11

Abstract: Most of the studies evaluating core muscle activity during exercises have been conducted with healthy participants. The objective of this study was to compare core muscle activity and tolerability of a variety of dynamic and isometric exercises in patients with non-specific low back pain (NSLBP). 13 outpatients (average age 52 years; all with standing or walking work in their current or latest job) performed 3 consecutive repetitions at 15-repetition maximum during different exercises in random order. Surface electromyography was recorded for the rectus abdominis; external oblique and lumbar erector spinae. Patients rated tolerability of each exercise on a 5-point scale. The front plank with brace; front plank and modified curl-up can be considered the most effective exercises in activating the rectus abdominis; with a median normalized EMG (nEMG) value of 48% (34–61%), 46% (26–61%) and 50% (28–65%), respectively. The front plank with brace can be considered the most effective exercise in activating the external oblique; with a nEMG of 77% (60–97%). The squat and bird-dog exercises are especially effective in activing the lumbar erector spinae; with nEMG of 40% (24–87%) and 29% (27–46%), respectively. All the exercises were well tolerated; except for the lateral plank that was mostly non-tolerated. In conclusion; the present study provides a variety of dynamic and isometric exercises; where muscle activity values and tolerability can be used as guide to design evidence-based exercise programs for outpatients with NSCLBP.

Keywords: bridging; electromyography; plank; squat; trunk (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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