Article

Kinematic studies have shown that experimentally-induced overpronation or
oversupination of the subtalar joint may alter the position of the legs, hips and
pelvis and consequently the trunk and upper limb.
The purpose of the present
study was to examine whether such foot deformity affects the activity of muscles
that act on the trunk and upper limb. Twenty-eight healthy individuals (11 males
and 17 females) 21.4+/-1.9 years of age without skeletal deformity, leg length
discrepancy (LLD), overpronated or oversupinated feet or excessive lateral pelvic
inclination volunteered for the study. Bilateral EMG recordings of the latissimus
dorsi, pectoralis major and rectus abdominis were undertaken for 30-s with each
subject in the relaxed standing position and at 5 degrees and 10 degrees
bilateral or unilateral overpronation or oversupination of the foot on the
dominant side using wooden wedge-shape blocks. The recorded EMG activity was
normalised based on the EMG activity produced by the muscles under investigation
during maximum isometric voluntary contraction. The findings of the present study
revealed that neither bilateral nor unilateral overpronation/oversupination of
the feet induced a significant alteration of the EMG activity of the latissimus
dorsi, pectoralis major and rectus abdominis on either the dominant or
non-dominant side.
These findings suggest that in the absence of other major
structural deformity bilateral or unilateral foot overpronation or oversupination
does not affect the EMG activity of muscles that act on the trunk and upper limb
in quiet standing.
CI - Copyright (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS