Article

Flexible lumbar corsets should contribute to an improved active and passive stabilisation of the lumbar spine. In the present study, the effects of flexible corsets on sensory-motor abilities have been investigated. METHODS: 24 healthy subjects (m = 10, f = 14, 26.7 years) performed angle- and force-reproduction tasks with and without wearing a flexible corset. The subjects tried to reproduce trunk flexion angles of 20 degrees und 40 degrees as well as forces of 33% and 66% of the maximum strength of the back extensor muscles. Additionally, muscular reactions were measured during destabilizing stimuli. RESULTS: No significant differences were found for the reproduction tasks. When wearing the corset, the left erector spinae muscles showed a delayed onset (+15 ms, p < 0.05), and the obliquus abdominis reached maximal activity more rapidly (-18 ms, p < 0.05). In the preinnervation phase the obliquus abdominis (-33%, p < 0.01), in the eccentric phase the erector spinae (-27%, p < 0.05) and the right obliquus abdominis (-46%, p < 0.05) and in the concentric phase the right obliquus abdominis (-35%, p < 0.01) and the rectus abdominis (-32%, p < 0.05) showed lower activities. CONCLUSION: The reduced muscle activities with destabilizing stimuli can be interpreted as the result of an improved passive stabilisation of the lumbar region by wearing a flexible corset.

Langue : ALLEMAND

Tiré à part : OUI

Identifiant basis : 2001216301