Effects of hand dominance on myoelectric signal of non‑fatigued lumbar multifidus muscle during single arm lifts.

Abstract

Some evidence indicates that lower back muscles located at the non‑dominant side of the body are more fatigue resistant than their opposite counterparts presumably due to preferential use of the dominant hand. The aim of the study was to determine if any distinction exists in the surface electromyographic activity of corresponding contralateral non‑fatigued lumbar multifidus (LM) muscles as a function of hand dominance. The relative to maximum root mean square, the median frequency (MdF) and spike shape parameters were computed from the surface myoelectric signals of ipsilateral and contralateral lumbar multifidus muscle of 46 adult healthy subjects (27 right‑handed, 19 left‑handed) during voluntary contractions evoked by the single arm lifts in prone position. Activation of LM as a contralateral muscle to lifted arm was greater than as ipsilateral muscle, independently of handedness. Regardless if LM performed ipsi‑ or contralateral action to the lifted arm, the mean spike amplitude, slope, number of peaks per spike and spike duration were greater and mean spike frequency as well as MdF were smaller in the muscle of dominant than non‑dominant side. Combined changes of spike shape measures indicate increased recruitment, lower firing rates and higher synchronization of motor units in the LM of dominant side as compared to its counterpart.