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Trunk extensor endurance and its relationship to electromyogram parameters

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Summary

The present study was designed to investigate the relationship between muscle performance and electromyogram (EMG) parameters of the trunk extensor muscles in the development of fatigue. Nine subjects performed continuous isometric trunk extensions at 25% and 40% maximal voluntary contraction. The EMG signals of the longissimus thoracis, iliocostalis lumborum, multifidus and latissimus dorsi muscles were recorded. The EMG amplitude (RA-EMG) appeared to increase consistently during the contractions in all muscles, whereas the mean power frequency (MPF) showed a fairly consistent decrease during the contractions. The time constants of the exponential change of the RA-EMG and of the MPF were related to the endurance time. The prediction of endurance based on both EMG parameters appeared to yield better results than the prediction based on the relative force. In particular the time constants of the MPF changes of the multifidus and longissimus muscles appeared to be good predictors of endurance time. The consistency of the spectrum shift of EMG appeared to coincide with a reduced variability of the activation of the muscle involved.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Workstudy and Ergonomics Department, Institute of Agricultural Engineering (IMAG-DLO), P.O. Box 43, NL-6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    J. H. van Dieën & H. H. E. Oude Vrielink

  2. Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    J. H. van Dieën, A. F. Housheer, F. B. J. Lötters & H. M. Toussaint

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  1. J. H. van Dieën
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  2. H. H. E. Oude Vrielink
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  3. A. F. Housheer
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  4. F. B. J. Lötters
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  5. H. M. Toussaint
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van Dieën, J.H., Vrielink, H.H.E.O., Housheer, A.F. et al. Trunk extensor endurance and its relationship to electromyogram parameters. Europ. J. Appl. Physiol. 66, 388–396 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00599610

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