The Interrelation of Spinal Curves, Pelvic Tilt and Muscle Lengths in the Adolescent Female

Thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis and pelvic tilt were measured in standing in one hundred and three adolescent females, using a specially designed inclinometer. Indices of the muscle lengths (abdominals, erector spinae, iliopsoas, gluteals, rectus femoris and hamstrings) were measured using inclinometry and goniometry and expressed as angles of joint position.Multiple regression analysis revealed that the index of erector spinae length was negatively correlated with lumbar lordosis (r = - 0.24, p < 0.05). The abdominal length index was positively correlated with lumbar lordosis (r = 0.209, p < 0.05), and the hamstring length index was negatively correlated with lordosis (r = - 0.213, p < 0.05).No muscle length index was significantly related to pelvic tilt. A negative association between the degree of thoracic kyphosis and the abdominal length index was found (r = -0.245, p < 0.05)

An initial evaluation of eight abdominal exercises for their ability to provide stabilisation for the lumbar spine

Eight abdominal strengthening exercises were investigated in order to evaluate their ability to promote stabilisation of the lumbar spine. Twenty-three healthy volunteers aged between 18 and 32 participated in the study. During each of the selected exercises, surface electromyography was used to measure the level of motor unit activity in the right upper rectus abdominis, the right lower rectus abdominis, the right oblique abdominis and right lumbar paravertebral muscles. A formula, based on the relative importance of each muscle in the proposed stability pattern was devised and used to give a single 'stability' score in order to compare each of the eight exercises tested. Results indicated that the exercises which involved applied rotatory resistance to the trunk appeared to activate a more appropriate stability pattern for the lumbar spine

Techniques for active lumbar stabilisation for spinal protection: a pilot study

Active protection of the lumbar spine is important in prevention of back strain during exercise. This EMG study investigated three common techniques used for lumbar stabilisation: posterior pelvic tilt, lower abdominal hollowing with lumbar spine flattening and abdominal bracing. The aim was to determine which method encouraged the best stability pattern. Muscle activity was measured in obliquus abdominis, upper and lower rectus abdominis and the lumbar erector spinae. Standardisation of muscle activity against that during maximally resisted trunk rotation (already shown to illustrate an appropriate stability pattern) allowed comparisons between exercise techniques in relation to their stabilisation pattern. Results indicated that posterior pelvic tilt demonstrated the least desirable stability pattern. Both abdominal hollowing and bracing provided a more suitable pattern

Towards a measurement of active muscle control for lumbar stabilisation

No measure described to date reflects the ability of muscles to stabilise the lumbar spine. A static model was developed in supine crook lying, to measure active rotatory control with trunk loading in the sagittal plane via low, unilateral leg load. The hypothesis was that excessive lumbar movement indicates an inability of the stabilising muscles to automatically co-ordinate appropriate muscle force to support the spine. A computerised sensor was developed to monitor lumbar positional change. A rotatory stability index was calculated from pressure variations on taking leg load. Preliminary trials showed that this static model identified individuals with poor active rotatory control. Further development of the measurement model is warranted

Nuovi scenari dell'agricoltura in provincia di Venezia

Background: Standardised patients are used in medical education to expose students to clinical contexts and facilitate transition to clinical practice, and this approach is gaining momentum in physiotherapy programs. Expense and availability of trained standardised patients are factors limiting widespread adoption, and accessing clinical visits with real patients can be challenging. This study addressed these issues by engaging senior students as standardised patients for junior students. It evaluated how this approach impacted self-reported constructs of both the junior and senior students