Ann Rehabil Med.  2014 Aug;38(4):514-522. 10.5535/arm.2014.38.4.514.

Facilitating Effects of Fast and Slope Walking on Paraspinal Muscles

• Lee HS
• Shim JS
• Lee ST
• Kim M
• Ryu JS

• KMID: 2165734
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5535/arm.2014.38.4.514

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To quantify the activation of the paraspinalis muscles (multifidus and erector spinae) at different walking velocities and slope with surface electromyography.
METHODS
This study was a prospective experimental study involving ten healthy male participants. Surface electrodes were placed over the multifidus and erector spinae muscles at the L5 and L3 level. After the electrode was placed at the lumbar paraspinalis muscles, electromyography signals were recorded over 20 seconds. Data were collected three times during the walking exercise at a 0degrees gradient with the speed from 3 to 6 km/hr. At 7degrees gradient and 15degrees gradient, data were also collected three times but a walking speed of 4 km/hr. The area under the curve was calculated for quantitative measurement of muscle activation.
RESULTS
While the muscle activation was increased at higher walking velocities at the L5 and L3 levels of the multifidus, the erector spinae muscle activation did not show any change at higher walking velocities. At L3 level of the multifidus and erector spine muscles, the muscle activation was significantly increased in 15degrees gradient compared to those seen in at 0degrees gradient. At L5 level, the multifidus and erector spinae muscle activation in 0degrees gradient was not significantly different from that those seen in 7degrees or 15degrees gradient.
CONCLUSION
Fast walking exercise activates lumbar multifidus muscles more than the slow walking exercise. Also, the mid lumbar muscles are comparatively more activated than low lumbar muscles when the walking slope increases.

Keyword

Walking; Paraspinal muscles; Low back pain

MeSH Terms

Electrodes
Electromyography
Humans
Low Back Pain
Male
Muscles
Paraspinal Muscles*
Prospective Studies
Spine
Walking*

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 (A) Active electrodes are attached 2 cm away (lateral) from the spinous process to record the multifidus (MF) activity and the reference points are located at the iliac bone. (B) Active electrodes are attached 4 cm away (lateral) from the spinous process to record the erector spinae (ES) activity and the reference points are located at the iliac bone. (C) Surface electromyography recording of a participant on a treadmill to record erector spinae muscle activity at L3 and L5 level.

• 

  Fig. 2 Quantitative data of paraspinalis muscles activation during walking exercise at different walking speeds.*p<0.05.

• 

  Fig. 3 Quantitative data of paraspinalis muscles activation during walking exercise at different inclinations.*p<0.05.

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