BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to analyze the trunk muscle activation patterns, spine kinematics, and lumbar compressive forces that occur when using the Bodyblade, a popular tool in physical medicine clinics. SUBJECTS: The participants were 14 male subjects who were healthy and who were recruited from a university population. METHODS: With data collected from surface electromyography of selected trunk and shoulder muscles, video analysis, and a 3-dimensional lumbar spine position sensor, modeling methods were used to quantify L4-5 compressive forces and spine stability. RESULTS: Large-amplitude oscillation of a vertically oriented Bodyblade resulted in the greatest activation levels of the internal oblique and external oblique muscles (average amplitude=48% and 26% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction, respectively), which were associated with L4-5 compressive forces as high as 4,328 N. Instantaneous stability increased with well-coordinated effort, muscle activation, and compression, but decreased when subjects had poor technique. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The way the Bodyblade is used may either enhance or compromise spine stability. Associated lumbar compressive forces may be inappropriate for some people with compression-intolerant lumbar spine pathology.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to analyze the trunk muscle activation patterns, spine kinematics, and lumbar compressive forces that occur when using the Bodyblade, a popular tool in physical medicine clinics. SUBJECTS: The participants were 14 male subjects who were healthy and who were recruited from a university population. METHODS: With data collected from surface electromyography of selected trunk and shoulder muscles, video analysis, and a 3-dimensional lumbar spine position sensor, modeling methods were used to quantify L4-5 compressive forces and spine stability. RESULTS: Large-amplitude oscillation of a vertically oriented Bodyblade resulted in the greatest activation levels of the internal oblique and external oblique muscles (average amplitude=48% and 26% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction, respectively), which were associated with L4-5 compressive forces as high as 4,328 N. Instantaneous stability increased with well-coordinated effort, muscle activation, and compression, but decreased when subjects had poor technique. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The way the Bodyblade is used may either enhance or compromise spine stability. Associated lumbar compressive forces may be inappropriate for some people with compression-intolerant lumbar spine pathology.
Authors: Rafael F Escamilla; Kyle Yamashiro; Russell Dunning; Tony Mikla; Matthew Grover; Mike Kenniston; Jesse Loera; Travis Tanasse; James R Andrews Journal: Int J Sports Phys Ther Date: 2016-04
Authors: Cristiane M Ogata; Marcelo T Navega; Luiz C Abreu; Celso Ferreira; Marco A Cardoso; Rodrigo D Raimundo; Vivian L Ribeiro; Vitor E Valenti Journal: Clinics (Sao Paulo) Date: 2014-09 Impact factor: 2.365