Effects of gait speed on paraspinal muscle activation: an sEMG analysis of the multifidus and erector spinae
Background The paraspinal muscles, such as the multifidus muscles and erector spinae muscles, play an important role in trunk stabilization and pelvic mobility during gait. Understanding how they are activated according to the speed of locomotion can facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of patient...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
PeerJ Inc.
2025-04-01
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| Series: | PeerJ |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://peerj.com/articles/19244.pdf |
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| Summary: | Background The paraspinal muscles, such as the multifidus muscles and erector spinae muscles, play an important role in trunk stabilization and pelvic mobility during gait. Understanding how they are activated according to the speed of locomotion can facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of patients with these conditions. This study aimed to comprehensively analyze the activity of postural muscles (multifidus and erector spinae) using surface electromyography (sEMG) across a range of gait speeds. Methods The study group consisted of 31 students of physiotherapy at the Pomeranian University in Słupsk, including 20 women (64.51%) and 11 men (35.48%). The research process included an interview and participation in the sEMG survey. The sEMG examination of the musculus erector spinae (MES) and musculus multifidus (MM) was carried out in the supine, standing position, while walking on a treadmill, maintaining speeds: 1 km/h, 3 km/h, 5 km/h and 6 km/h, for 60 s at each stage and at maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC). The percentage value of the amplitude of the sEMG recording in relation to maximum voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC) was determined. The average rate of change in muscle activity was also assessed in relation to the respective changes in locomotion speed for MES and MM. Results The results show significant differences in the %MVIC parameter between sides (left vs right) for both muscle groups (MES and MM) in the supine position and in the standing position for the multifidus muscles. At the set speeds of 1 km/h, 3 km/h, 5 km/h and 6 km/h, the differences are not statistically significant. A decreasing trend in the rate of change in muscle activity was also observed for both muscle groups as gait speed increased. The most significant decrease is observed at average gait speeds of 3–5 km/h. Conclusions In the sEMG examination during rest, standing and walking, the activity of the right and left MES and MM muscles examined is not always equal. The activity of the muscles studied (MES and MM) increases with increasing gait speed. The rate of change in muscle activity decreases as gait speed increases. |
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| ISSN: | 2167-8359 |