Abstract

The present study examines the possible differences in electrophysiological manifestations of low back muscle fatigue between symptomatic (CON) and symptomatic (LB) persons by means of EMG frequency power spectral analysis during fatiguing back extension for a period of 60s. Two sets of maniature electrodes were attached at the level of L3 paravertebrally and the recorded myoelectric signals were digitized and processed with the Hamming window function and 512-point fast Fourier transform to calculate mean power frequency (MPF). Results indicate that LB group ( n = 9) showed a significantly higher rate of MPF decline than that of CON group (n = 9) (37.2±1.9 Hz/min, <0.05) . When the degree of asymmetry (fatiguable vs. less fatiguable sides) was tested, LB group showed a highly significant differences (37.4±3.8 vs 25.8±4.9, p<0.05) which was more than 2.5 times the corresponding values in CON group (difference being 4.5 Hz, p > 0.05). These data suggest that EMG frequency power spectral analysis can be successfully employed in objective assessment of low back muscle fatiguability and the degree of asymmetry in the rate of fatigue development.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

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.