Abstract
Objective Endurance of the back extensor muscles has become important for clinical decisions that guide interventions, particularly for chronic low back pain patients. Very little information is available regarding back muscle endurance in the elderly. The aim of this study was to investigate back extensor muscle endurance in healthy elderly subjects during a modified Sorensen test. Methods Sixteen elderly and 20 young male adults participated in our cross-sectional study. The subjects performed a modified Sorensen test (on a 45° Roman chair) to quantify lumbopelvic extensor muscle endurance. Pre and postfatigue back extension maximal voluntary force was assessed according to an isometric lift test in a semicrouched position. Endurance time, perceived exertion (Borg CR10 scale), and postfatigue reduction of lifting force were recorded and compared among groups. Results Elderly subjects showed a trend toward decreased endurance time compared to young adults, but the difference was not significant. Similar perceived exertion and diminished maximal force after the fatiguing protocol were observed in both young and elderly subjects. Maximal isometric lift force was significantly associated with endurance time in young but not in elderly subjects. Conclusions Lumbopelvic extensor muscle endurance and perceived exertion do not differ between young and healthy elderly individuals. However, back muscle endurance seems to be modulated by different neurophysiologic factors in the elderly. Normative data on young adults should be interpreted with caution in assessing back fitness in elderly subjects.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
More From: Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.