ABSTRACT
SUMMARY. The slump test was used to investigate the effect of ankle inversion sprain on neurodynamic function in 18 subjects. The sensory response and restriction in range of knee extension in the slump test were assessed. Three different foot and ankle positions were used-neutral, dorsiflexion (DF) and plantarflexion with inversion (PFI). Results indicated that although there was a significantly greater lack of knee extension on the injured side compared to the non-injured side in all three foot and ankle positions, knee extension was most restricted in the PFI position, which is considered to bias the common peroneal tract. The slump test in PFI produced symptoms in the lateral aspect of the lower leg and ankle extending slightly anteriorly and posteriorly and into the dorsum of the foot. This distribution corresponds to that of the superficial peroneal nerve. The slump test in neutral and DF produced areas of response similar to each other, which included the posterior aspect of the knee, thigh and calf. The release of cervical flexion resulted in a significant reduction in symptoms in each test. These results may indicate altered neurodynamic function following ankle inversion sprain, and have implications for assessment and treatment of subjects with ankle sprain. Copyright 1996 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.
ABSTRACT
No measure described to date reflects the ability of muscles to stabilise the lumbar spine. A static model was developed in supine crook lying, to measure active rotatory control with trunk loading in the sagittal plane via low, unilateral leg load. The hypothesis was that excessive lumbar movement indicates an inability of the stabilising muscles to automatically co-ordinate appropriate muscle force to support the spine. A computerised sensor was developed to monitor lumbar positional change. A rotatory stability index was calculated from pressure variations on taking leg load. Preliminary trials showed that this static model identified individuals with poor active rotatory control. Further development of the measurement model is warranted.
ABSTRACT
Active protection of the lumbar spine is important in prevention of back strain during exercise. This EMG study investigated three common techniques used for lumbar stabilisation : posterior pelvic tilt, lower abdominal hollowing with lumbar spine flattening and abdominal bracing. The aim was to determine which method encouraged the best stability pattern. Muscle activity was measured in obliquus abdominis, upper and lower rectus abdominis and the lumbar erector spinae. Standardisation of muscle activity against that during maximally resisted trunk rotation (already shown to illustrate an appropriate stability pattern) allowed comparisons between exercise techniques in relation to their stabilisation pattern. Results indicated that posterior pelvic tilt demonstrated the least desirable stability pattern. Both abdominal hollowing and bracing provided a more suitable pattern.
ABSTRACT
Eight abdominal strengthening exercises were investigated in order to evaluate their ability to promote stabilisation of the lumbar spine. Twenty-three healthy volunteers aged between 18 and 32 participated in the study. During each of the selected exercises, surface electromyography was used to measure the level of motor unit activity in the right upper rectus abdominis, the right lower rectus abdominis, the right oblique abdominis and right lumbar para-vertebral muscles. A formula, based on the relative importance of each muscle in the proposed stability pattern was devised and used to give a single 'stability' score in order to compare each of the eight exercises tested. Results indicated that the exercises which involved applied rotatory resistance to the trunk appeared to activate a more appropriate stability pattern for the lumbar spine.
ABSTRACT
Length indices of the erector spinae, abdominal, gluteal iliopsoas, rectus femoris and hamstring muscles were measured in 103 adolescent females. Means and standard deviations were calculated and the 95 per cent confidence intervals for the population and the 95 per cent individual tolerance limits were derived for each index. Analysis of the interrelationships of the muscle length indices using multiple correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlations between the lumbar erector spinae and iliopsoas and rectus femoris indices, between the abdominal and gluteal indices and between the iliopsoas and hamstring indices. Significant negative correlations exist between the lumbar erector spinae and gluteal indices, between the iliopsoas and abdominal indices and between the rectus femoris and hamstring indices.
ABSTRACT
Thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis and pelvic tilt were measured in standing in one hundred and three adolescent females, using a specially designed inclinometer. Indices of the muscle lengths (abdominals, erector spinae, iliopsoas, gluteals, rectus femoris and hamstrings) were measured using inclinometry and goniometry and expressed as angles of joint position. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the index of erector spinae length was negatively correlated with lumbar lordosis (r = - 0.24, p < 0.05). The abdominal length index was positively correlated with lumbar lordosis (r = 0.209, p < 0.05), and the hamstring length index was negatively correlated with lordosis (r = - 0.213, p < 0.05). No muscle length index was significantly related to pelvic tilt. A negative association between the degree of thoracic kyphosis and the abdominal length index was found (r = -0.245, p < 0.05).
