ISSN:
0003-276X
Keywords:
Life and Medical Sciences
;
Cell & Developmental Biology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Pairs of fine wire electrodes were inserted by means of hypodermic needles 1 cm apart into the semispinalis capitis, semispinalis cervicis, spinalis, longissimus, iliocostalis lumborum, main mass of the erector spinae between the ilium and the twelfth rib, the multifidus and glutenus maximus of 20 young men and women.Each pair of electrodes was connected to an EMG integrator coupler in an 8-channel recorder. Because the integrated electromyogram is displayed as a deviation from the baseline proportional to the strength of the muscle contraction, it was possible to appraise the relative contributions made by different muscles to any given movement or exercise. By this method simultaneous recordings were made from the muscles while the subjects flexed, extended, hyperextended, abducted and adducted the trunk from the orthograde position; walked on a treadmill, lifted weights; and performed certain exercises recommended by the President's Council on Adult Physical Fitness. Many exercises were compared, and the best ones were selected on the basis of the strength of the contractions they produced. The best exercises for strengthening the deep muscles of the back were those that involved hyperextension of the back from the prone position.Contrary to current opinion, the erector spinae is not active during abduction or adduction of the trunk from the orthograde position if the body is maintained in the frontal plane.The integrated electromyogram is an excellent tool for the evaluation of exercises.
Additional Material:
10 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ar.1091550209
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