Muscle architecture, innervation pattern and fiber type distribution of lumbar multifidus (LMT) throughout its volume was quantified. Musculotendinous (n=10) and neural components (n=3) were dissected and digitized from thirteen embalmed cadaveric specimens. The data were imported into Autodesk® Maya® 2008 to generate 3D neuromuscular models of each specimen. Architectural parameters (fiber bundle length, FBL; fiber bundle angle, FBA; tendon length) were quantified from the models using customized software. The medial branch of the posterior rami (L1-L5) was traced through LMT to determine its distribution. Using immunohistochemistry, Type I/II muscle fibers were identified in 29 muscle biopsies from one fresh frozen specimen. The total area and number of each cell type was calculated using Visiopharm® (image analysis software). Architectural and fiber type data were analyzed using ANOVA with Tukey’s post-hoc test (p ≤ 0.05). From L1-L4, LMT had three architecturally distinct regions: superficial, intermediate and deep. At L5, intermediate LMT was absent. Mean FBL decreased significantly from superficial (5.8 ± 1.6cm) to deep regions (2.9 ± 1.1cm) as did volume (superficial, 5.6 ± 2.3ml; deep, 0.7 ± 0.3ml). In contrast, mean FBA increased from superficial to deep. The medial branch of the posterior ramus (L1-L5) supplied the five bands of LMT. Each medial branch in turn divided to supply the deep, intermediate and superficial regions separately. The area occupied by Type I fibers was significantly less (p< 0.01) in the deep (56%) compared with the superficial regions (75%). Based on architecture and morphology, superficial LMT with the longest FBL and relatively small FBA is well designed for torque production and controlling the lumbar lordosis. Intermediate LMT with significantly longer FBL compared with the deep region and with its caudal to cranial line of action may help to control intersegmental stability. Furthermore, the absence of intermediate LMT at L5 and may contribute to the higher incidence of instability observed at the lumbosacral junction. Deep LMT with its short FBL, large FBA and proximity to the axis of spinal rotation may function to provide proprioceptive input to the CNS rather than a primary stabilizer of the lumbar spine.

Muscle architecture, innervation pattern and fiber type distribution of lumbar multifidus (LMT) throughout its volume was quantified. Musculotendinous (n=10) and neural components (n=3) were dissected and digitized from thirteen embalmed cadaveric specimens. The data were imported into Autodesk® Maya® 2008 to generate 3D neuromuscular models of each specimen. Architectural parameters (fiber bundle length, FBL; fiber bundle angle, FBA; tendon length) were quantified from the models using customized software. The medial branch of the posterior rami (L1-L5) was traced through LMT to determine its distribution. Using immunohistochemistry, Type I/II muscle fibers were identified in 29 muscle biopsies from one fresh frozen specimen. The total area and number of each cell type was calculated using Visiopharm® (image analysis software). Architectural and fiber type data were analyzed using ANOVA with Tukey’s post-hoc test (p ≤ 0.05). From L1-L4, LMT had three architecturally distinct regions: superficial, intermediate and deep. At L5, intermediate LMT was absent. Mean FBL decreased significantly from superficial (5.8 ± 1.6cm) to deep regions (2.9 ± 1.1cm) as did volume (superficial, 5.6 ± 2.3ml; deep, 0.7 ± 0.3ml). In contrast, mean FBA increased from superficial to deep. The medial branch of the posterior ramus (L1-L5) supplied the five bands of LMT. Each medial branch in turn divided to supply the deep, intermediate and superficial regions separately. The area occupied by Type I fibers was significantly less (p< 0.01) in the deep (56%) compared with the superficial regions (75%). Based on architecture and morphology, superficial LMT with the longest FBL and relatively small FBA is well designed for torque production and controlling the lumbar lordosis. Intermediate LMT with significantly longer FBL compared with the deep region and with its caudal to cranial line of action may help to control intersegmental stability. Furthermore, the absence of intermediate LMT at L5 and may contribute to the higher incidence of instability observed at the lumbosacral junction. Deep LMT with its short FBL, large FBA and proximity to the axis of spinal rotation may function to provide proprioceptive input to the CNS rather than a primary stabilizer of the lumbar spine.

Tyrimo objektas: 10–11 metų moksleivių laikysena, dauginiai raumenys, regėjimo aštrumas, akomodacija. Tyrimo problema. Daugelyje šalių didelis dėmesys skiriamas vaikų sveikatos ir gerovės klausimams. Pastaraisiais dešimtmečiais daug dėmesio skiriama augančio vaiko organizmo pokyčių tyrimams. Vaiko organizmas yra unikalus dėl savo funkcijų ir daugybės struktūrų vystimosi bei kitimų (Bačiulienė, 2006). Jaunesnis mokyklinis amžius – tai lytinio brendimo pradžia. Būtent šiuo amžiaus periodu, be kitų organizmo sistemų, labai intensyviai vystosi griaučių – raumenų sistema. Tad, atsižvelgiant į vaiko amžiaus tarpsnių ypatumus ir norint išvengti rimtų sveikatos problemų, būtina ankstyva griaučių – raumenų sistemos vystymosi sutrikimų diagnostika ir prevencija (Kasiulevičius ir Strazdienė, 2008). Prevencija turėtų prasidėti jau mokykloje, nes, pradėjęs lankyti mokyklą, vaikas susiduria su dideliu fiziniu ir psichologiniu krūviu. Sumažėjęs fizinis aktyvumas, dideli statiniai krūviai ir dėl to atsirandanti ydinga laikysena gali įtakoti struktūrinius ir funkcinius pokyčius augančiame organizme (Bačiulienė, 2006). Tikslas: įvertinti 10–11 metų moksleivių stuburo stabilizavimo ir žaidybinių pratimų poveikį laikysenai, nustatyti regos sutrikimų sąsajas su laikysena. Darbo uždaviniai: 1. Įvertinti 10–11 metų tiriamosios ir kontrolinės grupių moksleivių laikyseną, dauginio stuburo raumens skerspjūvio plotą bei jo asimetriją prieš ir po stuburo stabilizavimo ir... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Study object: 10–11 years schoolchildren posture, multifidus muscle, eyesight strenght, accommodation. Study problem. In many countrys health and the welfare of children are very important. In recent years big attention is focussed on growing organism and researches of children. Children organism is unique of his functions and many developing and varying structures (Bačiulienė, 2006). Younger school age – it is start of pubescense. Skeletal-muscular system is developing very intensive in this period, without other organism systems. In respect that children ages peculiarity and in order to avoid health problems, it is very important early diagnostic and prevention of skeletal-muscular systems (Kasiulevičius ir Strazdienė, 2008). The prevention should start at school, because when children start to go to school they face with big physical and psychological load. Reduced physical activity, big static loads and because of that being bad posture should effect structural and functional changes in growing organism (Bačiulienė, 2006). The goal of the study: to evaluate the posture stabilizatinion and player excercises effect of 10–11 years schoolchildren posture, to determine relation between eyesight disorders and posture. The objectives: 1. To eveluate 10–11 years old study‘s and control‘s groups posture, multifidus muscle cross-section area and asymmetry before and after stabilization and player excercises. 2. To compare study‘s and control‘s... [to full text]

Design: A single-blinded, cross-sectional observational study. Objectives: Examine muscle cross-sectional area and symmetry of the lumbar multifidus muscle in elite ballroom dancers with and without low back pain (LBP). Background: The incidence of LBP among elite ballroom dancers is high and at Brigham Young University is 57%. Previous research has linked lumbar multifidus muscle atrophy to low back pain; however this relationship has not been examined in ballroom dancers. Methods and Measures: Lumbar multifidus cross-sectional area was assessed at rest on the right and left side at levels L1-L5. Thirty-seven subjects (age 24 ± 3.2 years; height, 172.8 ± 11.3 cm; mass, 54.6 ± 4.5 kg) were divided into one of three groups. Participants who reported LBP severe enough to interfere with dance training and daily living were allocated to the LBP group (reported pain at rest, during dance, and following dance) (n=15). Subjects who reported LBP that was not strong enough to interfere with training and daily living were allocated to the minimal pain group (reported pain during dance and following dance) (n= 6). And those who reported no back pain were put into the no pain group (n=16). Results: There were no significant difference in demographics between the groups (P>0.05). There was no significant difference between groups in multifidus cross-sectional area (P = .437). Asymmetry was found in all groups with the left side being larger than the right (P < .002). Conclusion: This study provides new information on lumbar multifidus cross-sectional area in elite ballroom dancers. Future research needs to examine other causes of LBP in elite ballroom dancers in an attempt to decrease LBP in these athletes.

No description available.

Activating the core muscles through exercise training programs is believed to be important for athletic performance. Considerable attention has been credited to the lumbar multifidus, transverse abdominis, and quadratus lumborum in designing exercise training programs. Numerous core exercise claims and recommendations abound in the fitness and physical therapy communities touting a superior core challenge for these muscles. The plethora of core activation literature with conflicting outcomes has convoluted the process of choosing exercises for an optimal core training approach. Although an abundance of research studies have quantified the muscle activity, collectively, a consensus on the type of exercise that elicits the largest muscle activity does not exist. Therefore, the objective of this investigation was to critically examine the literature and synthesize the muscle activity produced across various physical fitness exercises to determine which type of exercise elicits the largest amplitude for the core muscles in healthy individuals. PubMed, EMBASE, SPORTdiscus, CINAHL, (CCRT) and Web of Science databases were searched revealing 27 studies meeting the inclusion criteria measuring EMG activity during 202 exercises. In absence of research for the quadratus lumborum, no conclusions could be made and bring about concern for current recommendations. Furthermore, the methodological diversity significantly limited the quality of studies meriting standardization for future EMG research. Nonetheless, the current evidence suggests free weight exercises and non-core exercises using external resistances produce the largest EMG activity for the lumbar multifidus and transverse abdominis, respectively.

Key words: lumbar stabilization exercise, multifidus muscle size, low back pain. Low back pain is one of the most common conditions in mankind. Therefore, it is needed an exact diagnostic and the most effective problem solving method. There is an evidence of dysfunction in deep lower back and abdominal muscles in low back pain patients. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to define the influence of lumbar stabilization exercise for chronic low back pain, and to examine L4- L5 multifidus and transversus abdominis muscles size. The objectives of our study: to determine and compare normal and chronic low back pain patients ranges of L4- L5 multifidus and transversus abdominis muscles size; to evaluate deep lower back and abdominal muscles function before and after lumbar stabilization exercise; to estimate chronic low back pain changes duaring stabilization exercise. The methods of our research: ultrasound imaging, the instrument of pressure bio- feedback „Stabilizer“, Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Index Questionnaire, the analysis of mathematical statistics. This work consists of two studies with different participants. 16 healthy individuals and 16 chronic low back pain patients were studied in ultrasound imaging measurement. 12 chronic low back pain patients (4 women and 8 men) were participated in lumbar stabilization exercise program. Results: L4- L5 multifidus muscle size was larger (27 %) in males than in females, transversus abdominis muscle size was larger (17... [to full text]

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is often associated with lumbar spinal instability (LSI). The multifidus muscle is considered a stabilizer of the spine and has been studied extensively with Rehabilitative Ultrasound Imaging (RUSI). There may be a relationshipbetween clinical signs of LSI, decreased cross-sectional area (CSA) of the multifidus and weakness. Having the ability to detect multifidus weakness without the use of RUSI may serve to be invaluable to the clinician in detecting multifidus weakness.Purpose: To investigate the relationship between the modified prone straight leg raise test (MPSLR) and CSA of the multifidusmuscle as measured by RUSI and to investigate the relationship between MPSLR and RUSI findings with the presence of low back pain symptoms that interfere with regular daily activities. Subjects: Participants consisted of two groups of subjects. One group (n=30, 87% male) comprised individuals in general good health, aged 18-55, without history of back pain. The second group (n=36, 56% male) comprised individuals aged 18-55, with history of low back pain within the past 12 months. Methodology: Subjects performed a MPSLR test to identify multifidus weakness. All subjects repeated the same test with concurrent RUSI to visualize the multifidusand measure its CSA. Results: A significant association between a positive MPSLR, asymmetry of the multifidus, and pain was observed (p r = .049, p = .696) was not observed. A sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 63% was also discovered in the ability of the MPSLR test to detect asymmetry of themultifidus muscle within subjects. A positive MPSLR combined with a high Oswestry score of 25-30 further reinforced the probability of pain (p < .001) Conclusion: The MPSLR test demonstrated a strong association between a positive test and asymmetry of themultifidus muscle within subjects. Clinical Relevance: The MPSLR test can be used to identify patients at risk for LBP symptoms due to asymmetrical changes in the multifidus muscle of the lumbar spine, and aid in directing an appropriate rehabilitation approach to those patients in need of specific multifidus exercise prescription.

Ανασκόπηση βιβλιογραφίας: Όπως υποστηρίζεται από διάφορες έρευνες οι μυς της οσφυϊκής χώρας και συγκεκριμένα ο πολυσχιδής μυς, παίζουν σημαντικό ρόλο στη σταθερότητα της σπονδυλικής στήλης. Προηγούμενες εργασίες που μελέτησαν τα χαρακτηριστικά του πολυσχιδή μυός σε ασθενείς με οσφυαλγία δεν έχουν συμπεριλάβει στο σχεδιασμό τους την παράμετρο της φυσικής δραστηριότητας. Σκοπός της παρούσας έρευνας ήταν να εξετάσει την διάμετρο και την ποσοστιαία αναλογία των μυϊκών ινών του πολυσχιδή μυός μεταξύ ομάδων ασθενών με οσφυαλγία διαφορετικού επιπέδου φυσικής δραστηριότητας και υγιών ατόμων. Μεθοδολογία: Στη μελέτη συμμετείχαν εθελοντικά 64 ασθενείς με οσφυαλγία. Βασιζόμενοι στο επίπεδο φυσικής δραστηριότητας των ασθενών, το οποίο εκτιμήθηκε με την συμπλήρωση συγκεκριμένου ερωτηματολογίου (IPAQ), δημιουργήθηκαν τρεις (3) ερευνητικές ομάδες. Η διαχωρισμός των τριών ομάδων έγινε ανάλογα με το επίπεδο φυσικής δραστηριότητας ως εξής: χαμηλή (ΧΦΔ), μέση (ΜΦΔ), υψηλή (ΥΦΔ). Επίσης στον σχεδιασμό της έρευνας συμπεριελήφθη μια ομάδα ελέγχου αποτελούμενη από 17 άτομα. Βιοπτικό υλικό, διαστάσεων περίπου 5Χ5Χ10 χιλ., ελήφθη από τον πολυσχιδή μυ στο επίπεδο Ο4-Ο5. Αποτελέσματα: Αντίθετα με την ομάδα ελέγχου, οι ομάδες ασθενών με οσφυαλγία παρουσίασαν στατιστικώς μεγαλύτερη ποσοστιαία αναλογία μυϊκών ινών Τύπου ΙΙ καθώς και μικρότερη διάμετρο και στους δύο τύπους ινών (p<0.05). Τα αποτελέσματα έδειξαν ότι το επίπεδο φυσικής δραστηριότητας δεν επηρέασε τα χαρακτηριστικά του πολυσχιδή μυ καθώς δεν παρατηρήθηκαν σημαντικές διαφορές (p>0.05) στη διάμετρο και ποσοστιαία αναλογία των ινών μεταξύ των ομάδων ΥΦΔ, ΜΦΔ και ΧΦΔ. Διάφορες ιστοπαθολογικές αλλοιώσεις που παρατηρήθηκαν ήταν εμφανέστερες στις ομάδες ασθενών με οσφυαλγία συγκριτικά με την ομάδα ελέγχου (p<0.05). Η διάμετρος και των δύο τύπων μυϊκών ινών ήταν μεγαλύτερη στους άνδρες σε σχέση με τις γυναίκες (p<0.05). Συμπεράσματα: Τα αποτελέσματα της έρευνας έδειξαν ότι το επίπεδο φυσικής δραστηριότητας μεταξύ των ομάδων ασθενών με οσφυαλγία δεν επηρέασε την διάμετρο και ποσοστιαία αναλογία των μυικών τους ινών. Συμπερασματικά, βάση αυτών των ευρημάτων η έρευνα προτείνει ότι τόσο η φυσική αδράνεια όσο και η υψηλή φυσική δραστηριότητα μπορούν να επιφέρουν αρνητικές επιπτώσεις στα χαρακτηριστικά των ινών του πολυσχιδή μυός. / Background: Previous studies examining the multifidus fiber characteristics among low back pain (LBP) patients have not considered the variable of physical activity. The present study sought to investigate the muscle fiber size and type distribution of the lumbar multifidus muscle among LBP patient groups with different physical activity levels and healthy controls. Methods: 64 patients were assigned to one of three groups named according to the physical activity level, determined for each patient by the IPAQ questionnaire. These were low (LPA), medium (MPA) and high (HPA) physical activity groups. A control group comprising of 17 healthy individuals was also recruited. Muscle biopsy samples were obtained from the multifidus muscle at the level L4-L5. Results: In contrast with the control group, LBP patient groups showed a significantly higher Type II fiber distribution as well as reduced diameter in both fiber types (p<0.05). The physical activity level did not have an effect on multifidus characteristics since no significant differences were observed in fiber type and diameter (p>0.05) among LPA, MPA and HPA patient groups. Various pathological conditions were detected which were more pronounced in LBP groups compared to the control (p<0.05). Males had a larger fiber diameter compared to females for both fiber types (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results showed that the level of physical activity did not affect muscle fiber size and type distribution among LBP patients groups. These findings suggest that not only inactivity but also high physical activity levels can have an adverse effect on the multifidus muscle fiber characteristics.

Introduction : L’évaluation clinique du contrôle neuromusculaire des muscles du tronc est criante en réhabilitation et en entraînement. L’objectif principal de cette étude a été d’évaluer la reproductibilité intra et inter-évaluateur d’un test clinique le soulèvement actif de la jambe tendue (SAJT) chez une population active et saine. Méthode : Chaque sujet (18 joueurs de tennis) a été testé à deux reprises par 2 physiothérapeutes avec le SAJT. Résultats : La reproductibilité intra-évaluateur s’est avérée élevée à très élevée (ICC = 0.81 à 0.93) tandis la reproductibilité inter-évaluateur s’est avérée cliniquement non viable. Conclusion : À notre connaissance, le SAJT est le premier test clinique reproductible évaluant le contrôle neuromusculaire du tronc avec des compensations musculaires et cinétiques chez des sujets actifs et sains. Une formation plus importante des évaluateurs aurait certainement amélioré la reproductibilité inter-évaluateur. / Introduction: The clinical assessment of the trunk muscles neuromuscular control is lacking in rehabilitation and in conditioning. The main goal of this study was to assess the intra and inter-rater reliability of a clinical test, the active straight leg raise (ASLR), on an active and healthy population. Method: Each subject (18 tennis players) was tested twice by 2 physiotherapists with the ASLR. Results: The intra-rater reliability turned out to be high to very high (ICC = 0.81 à 0.93) while the inter-rater reliability came out clinically unsustainable. Conclusion: To our knowledge, the ASLR is the first reliable clinical test to assess the core neuromuscular control based on muscular and kinetic compensation observations with active and healthy subjects. A more exhaustive training of the assessors would definitely improve the inter-rater reliability.