Active therapeutic exercises during unstable and unilateral conditions using body weight for resistance are often used in the rehabilitation of low back pain (LBP). In LBP patient's unilateral atrophy of the spinal muscles is reported. To address these deficits understanding side to side muscle activity using surface Electromyography (SEMG) can help clinicians design exercises that specifically address these deficits. Aim: To identify the effects of unilateral and unstable bridging exercises on trunk muscle activity. Using a repeated measures design, SEMG side to side measurements of lumbar Multifidus (MF), Iliocostalis Thoracis (ICT), Rectus Abdominis (RA) and External Oblique (EO) were conducted on 20 healthy subjects (16 female, age 25.45±3.57 years, height 166±0.8 cm, weight 63.35±12.70 kg. Mean Body Mass Index 23) during 8 supine bridging exercises with stable, unstable and unilateral conditions.Background
Methods