Article

PURPOSE: To review and discuss the literature about the use of trunk muscle
electromyography - including the use of surface or fine-wire electrodes, site of
application and muscle selection - during gait analysis in healthy subjects.
METHODS: The databases Pubmed, Web of Knowledge and Cochrane Library were
searched. Articles were included when EMG activity of at least one trunk muscle
was measured in healthy subjects during walking. RESULTS: In the 33 selected
articles 491 healthy subjects walked with different velocities on a treadmill
and/or overground. The activity of the M. erector spinae, M. multifidus, M.
obliquus externus and internus, M. rectus abdominus, M. trapezius, M. latissimus
dorsi, M. transversus abdominus, M. iliopsoas and M. quadrates lumborum was
measured. Twenty-nine studies used surface electrodes, one study fine-wire
electrodes, and the other three studies used a combination. There is no consensus
on the exact placement site of the electrodes. CONCLUSION: Surface electrodes
were used more often than fine-wire electrodes and the descriptions of the
electrode locations were mostly vague and not consistent among the different
studies. There is need for further research to make specific recommendations
about the type of electrodes in combination with the optimal locations of
application of these electrodes.
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Langue : ANGLAIS