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Muscle recruitment patterns during the prone leg extension
Gregory J Lehman1, Duane Lennon, Brian Tresidder
1Department of Graduate Studies and Research, Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, 1900 Bayview Ave, Toronto, ON, Canada. glehman@cmcc.ca
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
|March 19, 2004
Summary
Muscle activation patterns during the prone leg extension (PLE) test show significant variability. This study found no consistent order of muscle recruitment, suggesting the PLE may not be a reliable diagnostic tool due to overlapping normal and abnormal patterns.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Kinesiology
- Clinical Electromyography
Background:
- The prone leg extension (PLE) is a clinical test assessing lumbopelvic function.
- Previous research presents conflicting muscle activation patterns during PLE.
- Quantifying muscle onset times is crucial for understanding normal activation sequences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify muscle onset times during the prone leg extension (PLE) task.
- To determine if a consistent muscle activation order exists during PLE.
- To investigate the timing relationship between gluteus maximus and contralateral latissimus dorsi activation.
Main Methods:
- Electromyography (EMG) recorded muscle activity from erector spinae, gluteus maximus, and hamstring groups.
- 14 asymptomatic individuals (10 males, 4 females) performed the PLE task.
- Muscle activation onsets were measured in milliseconds relative to hamstring onset.
Main Results:
- No consistent recruitment patterns were observed between hamstring and erector spinae muscles.
- A consistent delay of approximately 370 ms in gluteus maximus activation was noted after the first muscle fired.
- Five participants exhibited gluteus maximus delays exceeding previously identified dysfunctional patterns.
Conclusions:
- A consistent muscle activation pattern during PLE was not identified.
- Significant inter-subject variability in muscle recruitment was observed.
- The PLE test's diagnostic sufficiency is questionable due to physiological variation and overlapping activation patterns.