Article

There is some evidence that the Biering-Sorensen endurance test can discriminate
low back pain sufferers from healthy individuals and can predict future back
pain. This test relies on the subject's ability to voluntarily drive the back
muscles. This neural drive, termed voluntary activation (VA) can be measured
using the twitch interpolation technique. The aim of the current study was to
investigate the relationship between back muscle endurance and VA. Twenty-one
healthy volunteers (10 males) participated. Bilateral electromyographic
recordings were obtained from erector spinae and rectus abdominis. Back extensor
torque was recorded using a dynamometer. The protocol consisted of measurement of
VA (using magnetic stimulation of the brain and assessment of the sizes of the
evoked twitches) and measurement of endurance. There was a linear correlation
(r(2)=1, P<0.01) between voluntary torque and VA. The mean (SEM) endurance time
was 174.9 (12.8)s. There was no correlation between endurance and VA at either
100% MVC (r(2)=0.01, P=0.72) or at 50% MVC (r(2)=0.11,
P=0.16). These findings
indicate that the endurance of the back muscles, as assessed using this widely
utilised test does not appear to be related to a subject's ability to drive their
back muscles voluntarily either maximally or submaximally.
CI - Copyright (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS

Tiré à part : OUI