Determining the stabilizing role of individual torso muscles during rehabilitation exercises

Study Design. A systematic biomechanical analysis involving an artificial perturbation applied to individual lumbar muscles in order to assess their potential stabilizing role. Objectives. To identify which torso muscles stabilize the spine during different loading conditions and to identify possible mechanisms of function. Summary of Background Data. Stabilization exercises are thought to train muscle patterns that ensure spine stability; however, little quantification and no consensus exists as to which muscles contribute to stability. Methods. Spine kinematics, external forces, and 14 channels of torso electromyography were recorded for seven stabilization exercises in order to capture the individual motor control strategies adopted by different people. Data were input into a detailed model of the lumbar spine to quantify spine joint forces and stability. The EMG signal for a particular muscle was replaced either unilaterally or bilaterally by a sinusoid, and the resultant change in the stability index was quantified. Results. A direction-dependent-stabilizing role was noticed in the larger, multisegmental muscles, whereas a specific subtle efficiency to generate stability was observed for the smaller, intersegmental spinal muscles. Conclusions. No single muscle dominated in the enhancement of spine stability, and their individual roles were continuously changing across tasks. Clinically, if the goal is to train for stability, enhancing motor patterns that incorporate many muscles rather than targeting just a few is justifiable.