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Updated: Aug 9, 2026
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Muscle Imbalances: Testing and Training Functional Eccentric Hamstring Strength in Athletic Populations
Published on: May 1, 2018
[Influence of testing position on lumbar isokinetic measurements]
P Cohen1, A Chantraine, C Gobelet
1Centre médical de Lavey-les-Bains, 1892, Lavey-les-Bains, Suisse, France. paul.cohen@lavey-les-bains.ch
Summary
Patient positioning does not affect lumbar spine muscle performance in low back pain individuals. The angle to maximal peak torque (APT) offers new insights into muscle function differences between healthy and low back pain subjects.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Musculoskeletal health
Context:
- Previous studies on lumbar spine muscle function used isokinetic machines.
- Both sitting and standing positions were previously used without determining the optimal one.
- The importance of extensor muscles and their force development compared to flexor muscles was highlighted.
Purpose:
- To determine how patient positioning influences lumbar muscle performance.
- To investigate a new parameter: the angle to maximal peak torque (APT).
Summary:
- This study compared muscle performance in sitting versus standing positions for 17 healthy subjects and 19 with low back pain.
- Key metrics included peak torque ratios of flexor/extensor muscles and the angle to maximal peak torque (APT).
- Low back pain subjects exhibited altered flexor/extensor ratios (1.71 sitting, 1.56 standing) compared to healthy subjects (0.69 sitting, 0.84 standing).
Impact:
- Patient position does not influence results for low back pain subjects; sitting is preferred.
- The angle to maximal peak torque (APT) provides novel insights into lumbar muscle function.
- APT is inverted in low back pain subjects, indicating greater extensor torque during spinal extension.
