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A Stable Spine Is a Healthy Spine
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Posted on: 08/10/2004
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A stable spine is important to good back health. Stabilization exercises are a part of back rehab. The muscles must be able to support the spine during different postures and movements. The muscles also help move the spine. But which muscles should be trained for spinal stability, and how should it be done? This is the focus of a study at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada.
Forces on the spine were measured during eight stabilization exercises. The exercises were done while sitting, on hands and knees, and lying down. These three positions made sure the spine moved through all three planes of rotation: flexing forward, twisting (rotation), and bending sideways. The idea was to find out when and how the muscle fibers contracted. This is called a motor control strategy.
The electrical signals from seven muscles were recorded on both sides of the trunk and back. A computer program was used to calculate muscle length, force, and speed. Using this method, each muscle could be tested separately. The pattern of muscle action showed which muscles were active, when, and how they functioned.
The researchers found that no one muscle was the key to stability. Each muscle had its own job to do, and that job changed as the movement or activity changed. The abdominal muscles were involved in spinal stabilization no matter what activity was going on. The authors conclude that rehab must train as many muscles as possible. Limiting exercises to just a few muscles isn't a good idea.
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References:
Natasa Kavcic, MSc, et al. Determining the Stabilizing Role of Individual Torso Muscles During Rehabilitation Exercises. In Spine. June 1, 2004. Vol. 29. No. 11. Pp. 1254-1265.
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