Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

At a glance: The STEP trials

A round-up of the STEP phase 3 clinical trials evaluating semaglutide for weight loss in people with overweight or obesity.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 1/2008

Open Access 01-12-2008 | Research article

Changes in the flexion relaxation response induced by lumbar muscle fatigue

Authors: Martin Descarreaux, Danik Lafond, Renaud Jeffrey-Gauthier, Hugo Centomo, Vincent Cantin

Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders | Issue 1/2008

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

The flexion relaxation phenomenon (FRP) is an interesting model to study the modulation of lumbar stability. Previous investigations have explored the effect of load, angular velocity and posture on this particular response. However, the influence of muscular fatigue on FRP parameters has not been thoroughly examined. The objective of the study is to identify the effect of erector spinae (ES) muscle fatigue and spine loading on myoelectric silence onset and cessation in healthy individuals during a flexion-extension task.

Methods

Twenty healthy subjects participated in this study and performed blocks of 3 complete trunk flexions under 4 different experimental conditions: no fatigue/no load (1), no fatigue/load (2), fatigue/no load(3), and fatigue/load (4). Fatigue was induced according to the Sorenson protocol, and electromyographic (EMG) power spectral analysis confirmed that muscular fatigue was adequate in each subject. Trunk and pelvis angles and surface EMG of the ES L2 and L5 were recorded during a flexion-extension task. Trunk flexion angle corresponding to the onset and cessation of myoelectric silence was then compared across the different experimental conditions using 2 × 2 repeated-measures ANOVA.

Results

Onset of myoelectric silence during the flexion motion appeared earlier after the fatigue task. Additionally, the cessation of myoelectric silence was observed later during the extension after the fatigue task. Statistical analysis also yielded a main effect of load, indicating a persistence of ES myoelectric activity in flexion during the load condition.

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest that the presence of fatigue of the ES muscles modifies the FRP. Superficial back muscle fatigue seems to induce a shift in load-sharing towards passive stabilizing structures. The loss of muscle contribution together with or without laxity in the viscoelastic tissues may have a substantial impact on post fatigue stability.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
1.
Bergmark A: Stability of the lumbar spine. A study in mechanical engineering. Acta Orthop Scand Suppl. 1989, 230: 1-54.CrossRefPubMed
2.
White AA, Panjabi MM: Clinical biomechanics of the spine. 1990, Philadelphia , Lippincott, xxiii, 722-2nd
3.
McGill S: Low back disorders : evidence-based prevention and rehabilitation. 2002, Champaign, IL , Human Kinetics, xv, 295-
4.
Shirazi-Adl A, El-Rich M, Pop DG, Parnianpour M: Spinal muscle forces, internal loads and stability in standing under various postures and loads--application of kinematics-based algorithm. Eur Spine J. 2005, 14 (4): 381-392. 10.1007/s00586-004-0779-0.CrossRefPubMed
5.
Kavcic N, Grenier S, McGill SM: Quantifying tissue loads and spine stability while performing commonly prescribed low back stabilization exercises. Spine. 2004, 29 (20): 2319-2329. 10.1097/01.brs.0000142222.62203.67.CrossRefPubMed
6.
Colloca CJ, Hinrichs RN: The biomechanical and clinical significance of the lumbar erector spinae flexion-relaxation phenomenon: a review of literature. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2005, 28 (8): 623-631. 10.1016/j.jmpt.2005.08.005.CrossRefPubMed
7.
Gupta A: Analyses of myo-electrical silence of erectors spinae. J Biomech. 2001, 34 (4): 491-496. 10.1016/S0021-9290(00)00213-X.CrossRefPubMed
8.
Geisser ME, Haig AJ, Wallbom AS, Wiggert EA: Pain-related fear, lumbar flexion, and dynamic EMG among persons with chronic musculoskeletal low back pain. Clin J Pain. 2004, 20 (2): 61-69. 10.1097/00002508-200403000-00001.CrossRefPubMed
9.
Kojima Y, Maeda T, Arai R, Shichikawa K: Nerve supply to the posterior longitudinal ligament and the intervertebral disc of the rat vertebral column as studied by acetylcholinesterase histochemistry. I. Distribution in the lumbar region. J Anat. 1990, 169: 237-246.PubMedPubMedCentral
10.
Holm S, Indahl A, Solomonow M: Sensorimotor control of the spine. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2002, 12 (3): 219-234. 10.1016/S1050-6411(02)00028-7.CrossRefPubMed
11.
Andersson EA, Oddsson LI, Grundstrom H, Nilsson J, Thorstensson A: EMG activities of the quadratus lumborum and erector spinae muscles during flexion-relaxation and other motor tasks. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 1996, 11 (7): 392-400. 10.1016/0268-0033(96)00033-2.CrossRef
12.
Sarti MA, Lison JF, Monfort M, Fuster MA: Response of the flexion-relaxation phenomenon relative to the lumbar motion to load and speed. Spine. 2001, 26 (18): E421-6. 10.1097/00007632-200109150-00019.CrossRefPubMed
13.
O'Sullivan P, Dankaerts W, Burnett A, Chen D, Booth R, Carlsen C, Schultz A: Evaluation of the flexion relaxation phenomenon of the trunk muscles in sitting. Spine. 2006, 31 (17): 2009-2016. 10.1097/01.brs.0000228845.27561.e0.CrossRefPubMed
14.
Solomonow M, Baratta RV, Banks A, Freudenberger C, Zhou BH: Flexion-relaxation response to static lumbar flexion in males and females. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2003, 18 (4): 273-279. 10.1016/S0268-0033(03)00024-X.CrossRef
15.
Olson MW, Li L, Solomonow M: Flexion-relaxation response to cyclic lumbar flexion. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2004, 19 (8): 769-776. 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2004.05.007.CrossRef
16.
Demoulin C, Vanderthommen M, Duysens C, Crielaard JM: Spinal muscle evaluation using the Sorensen test: a critical appraisal of the literature. Joint Bone Spine. 2006, 73 (1): 43-50. 10.1016/j.jbspin.2004.08.002.CrossRefPubMed
17.
Merletti R, Lo Conte L, Avignone E, Guglielminotti P: Modeling of surface myoelectric signals--Part I: Model implementation. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 1999, 46 (7): 810-820. 10.1109/10.771190.CrossRefPubMed
18.
Mannion AF, Connolly B, Wood K, Dolan P: The use of surface EMG power spectral analysis in the evaluation of back muscle function. J Rehabil Res Dev. 1997, 34 (4): 427-439.PubMed
19.
Lariviere C, Arsenault AB, Gravel D, Gagnon D, Loisel P: Evaluation of measurement strategies to increase the reliability of EMG indices to assess back muscle fatigue and recovery. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2002, 12 (2): 91-102. 10.1016/S1050-6411(02)00011-1.CrossRefPubMed
20.
Dickey JP, McNorton S, Potvin JR: Repeated spinal flexion modulates the flexion-relaxation phenomenon. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2003, 18 (9): 783-789. 10.1016/S0268-0033(03)00166-9.CrossRef
21.
Solomonow M, Baratta RV, Zhou BH, Burger E, Zieske A, Gedalia A: Muscular dysfunction elicited by creep of lumbar viscoelastic tissue. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2003, 13 (4): 381-396. 10.1016/S1050-6411(03)00045-2.CrossRefPubMed
22.
Solomonow M, Eversull E, He Zhou B, Baratta RV, Zhu MP: Neuromuscular neutral zones associated with viscoelastic hysteresis during cyclic lumbar flexion. Spine. 2001, 26 (14): E314-24. 10.1097/00007632-200107150-00013.CrossRefPubMed
23.
da Silva RA, Arsenault AB, Gravel D, Lariviere C, de Oliveira E: Back muscle strength and fatigue in healthy and chronic low back pain subjects: a comparative study of 3 assessment protocols. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2005, 86 (4): 722-729. 10.1016/j.apmr.2004.08.007.CrossRefPubMed
24.
Koumantakis GA, Arnall F, Cooper RG, Oldham JA: Paraspinal muscle EMG fatigue testing with two methods in healthy volunteers. Reliability in the context of clinical applications. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2001, 16 (3): 263-266. 10.1016/S0268-0033(00)00113-3.CrossRef
25.
Cholewicki J, Juluru K, Radebold A, Panjabi MM, McGill SM: Lumbar spine stability can be augmented with an abdominal belt and/or increased intra-abdominal pressure. Eur Spine J. 1999, 8 (5): 388-395. 10.1007/s005860050192.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
26.
Vleeming A, Stoeckart R, Volkers AC, Snijders CJ: Relation between form and function in the sacroiliac joint. Part I: Clinical anatomical aspects. Spine. 1990, 15 (2): 130-132. 10.1097/00007632-199002000-00016.CrossRefPubMed
27.
Vleeming A, Volkers AC, Snijders CJ, Stoeckart R: Relation between form and function in the sacroiliac joint. Part II: Biomechanical aspects. Spine. 1990, 15 (2): 133-136. 10.1097/00007632-199002000-00017.CrossRefPubMed
28.
Leinonen V, Kankaanpaa M, Airaksinen O, Hanninen O: Back and hip extensor activities during trunk flexion/extension: effects of low back pain and rehabilitation. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2000, 81 (1): 32-37.CrossRefPubMed
29.
van Wingerden JP, Vleeming A, Buyruk HM, Raissadat K: Stabilization of the sacroiliac joint in vivo: verification of muscular contribution to force closure of the pelvis. Eur Spine J. 2004, 13 (3): 199-205. 10.1007/s00586-003-0575-2.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
30.
Ahern DK, Hannon DJ, Goreczny AJ, Follick MJ, Parziale JR: Correlation of chronic low-back pain behavior and muscle function examination of the flexion-relaxation response. Spine. 1990, 15 (2): 92-95. 10.1097/00007632-199002000-00008.CrossRefPubMed
31.
Floyd WF, Silver PH: Function of erectores spinae in flexion of the trunk. Lancet. 1951, 1 (3): 133-134. 10.1016/S0140-6736(51)91212-3.CrossRefPubMed
32.
Shirado O, Ito T, Kaneda K, Strax TE: Flexion-relaxation phenomenon in the back muscles. A comparative study between healthy subjects and patients with chronic low back pain. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 1995, 74 (2): 139-144. 10.1097/00002060-199503000-00010.CrossRefPubMed
33.
Watson PJ, Booker CK, Main CJ, Chen AC: Surface electromyography in the identification of chronic low back pain patients: the development of the flexion relaxation ratio. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 1997, 12 (3): 165-171. 10.1016/S0268-0033(97)00065-X.CrossRef
34.
Neblett R, Mayer TG, Gatchel RJ, Keeley J, Proctor T, Anagnostis C: Quantifying the lumbar flexion-relaxation phenomenon: theory, normative data, and clinical applications. Spine. 2003, 28 (13): 1435-1446. 10.1097/00007632-200307010-00015.PubMed
35.
Sihvonen T, Partanen J, Hanninen O, Soimakallio S: Electric behavior of low back muscles during lumbar pelvic rhythm in low back pain patients and healthy controls. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1991, 72 (13): 1080-1087.PubMed
36.
Olson M, Solomonow M, Li L: Flexion-relaxation response to gravity. J Biomech. 2006, 39 (14): 2545-2554. 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2005.09.009.CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
Changes in the flexion relaxation response induced by lumbar muscle fatigue
Authors
Martin Descarreaux
Danik Lafond
Renaud Jeffrey-Gauthier
Hugo Centomo
Vincent Cantin
Publication date
01-12-2008
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders / Issue 1/2008
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2474
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2474-9-10

Other articles of this Issue 1/2008

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 1/2008 Go to the issue

Study protocol

A randomised clinical trial of subgrouping and targeted treatment for low back pain compared with best current care. The STarT Back Trial Study Protocol

Research article

Analgesic effect of percutaneously absorbed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: an experimental study in a rat acute inflammation model

Research article

Altered motor control patterns in whiplash and chronic neck pain

Technical advance

A comparison between one- and two-fluoroscopic techniques in percutaneous vertebroplasty

Research article

A role for subchondral bone changes in the process of osteoarthritis; a micro-CT study of two canine models

Research article

Musculoskeletal symptoms of the upper extremities and the neck: A cross-sectional study on prevalence and symptom-predicting factors at visual display terminal (VDT) workstations