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Contraction of the abdominal muscles
associated with movement of the lower limb. |
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AUTHOR AFFILIATION: |
Department of Physiotherapy, University of
Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. hodges@physio.therapies.uq.oz.au |
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SOURCE: |
Phys Ther 1997 Feb;77(2):132-42; discussion
142-4 |
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CITATION IDS: |
PMID: 9037214 UI: 97188942 |
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ABSTRACT: |
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Activity of the trunk muscles is essential
for maintaining stability of the lumbar spine because of the
unstable structure of that portion of the spine. A model involving
evaluation of the response of the lumbar multifidus and abdominal
muscles to leg movement was developed to evaluate this function.
SUBJECTS: To examine this function in healthy persons, 9 male and 6
female subjects (mean age = 20.6 years, SD = 2.3) with no history of
low back pain were studied. METHODS: Fine-wire and surface
electromyography electrodes were used to record the activity of
selected trunk muscles and the prime movers for hip flexion,
abduction, and extension during hip movements in each of those
directions. RESULTS: Trunk muscle activity occurring prior to
activity of the prime mover of the limb was associated with hip
movement in each direction. The transversus abdominis (TrA) muscle
was invariably the first muscle that was active. Although reaction
time for the TrA and oblique abdominal muscles was consistent across
movement directions, reaction time for the rectus abdominis and
multifidus muscles varied with the direction of limb movement.
CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION: Results suggest that the central nervous
system deals with stabilization of the spine by contraction of the
abdominal and multifidus muscles in anticipation of reactive forces
produced by limb movement. The TrA and oblique abdominal muscles
appear to contribute to a function not related to the direction of
these forces. |
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MAIN MESH HEADINGS: |
Abdominal Muscles/*physiology
Hip/*physiology
Movement/*physiology
*Muscle Contraction
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ADDITIONAL MESH HEADINGS: |
Adolescence
Adult
Data Interpretation, Statistical
Electromyography
Feedback/physiology
Female
Human
Male
Reaction Time
Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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