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Updated: Jun 22, 2026
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Muscle Function Obtained with Motion Mode Ultrasound and Surface Electromyography during Core Endurance Exercise
Published on: August 25, 2022
Lumbar muscle electromyographic dynamic topography during flexion-extension
Yong Hu1, Stanley H F Siu, Joseph N F Mak
1Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong. yhud@hkusua.hku.hk
Summary
Dynamic topography of surface electromyography (SEMG) visualizes lumbar muscle activity, revealing distinct patterns in healthy individuals versus those with low back pain (LBP). This technique aids in understanding muscle coordination and rehabilitation progress.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Neuroscience
- Rehabilitation Science
Background:
- Low back pain (LBP) significantly impacts individuals, with underlying muscle dysfunction often difficult to quantify in vivo.
- Current methods for assessing lumbar muscle activity may lack the spatial and temporal resolution to capture subtle coordination deficits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and validate dynamic topography of surface electromyography (SEMG) as a novel method for visualizing lumbar muscle myoelectric activity.
- To compare SEMG dynamic topography between healthy subjects and LBP patients to identify differences in muscle activation patterns.
- To assess the potential of SEMG dynamic topography in monitoring rehabilitation outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an electrode-array to collect SEMG data from the lumbar region of 20 healthy males and 15 males with LBP.
- Calculated root mean square (RMS) values and employed linear cubic spline interpolation to create 2-D color topographic images.
- Constructed dynamic topographical videos by concatenating RMS topography matrices over time and position, analyzing parameters like relative area, width, and height.
Main Results:
- Normal SEMG dynamic topography exhibited a consistent, symmetric pattern with high intensity in the paraspinal area.
- LBP patients displayed asymmetric, broad, or disorganized SEMG dynamic topography patterns.
- Quantitative SEMG features and dynamic topography patterns were significantly different between healthy controls and LBP patients.
- Post-physiotherapy, LBP patients' dynamic topography showed a trend towards normalization.
Conclusions:
- Dynamic SEMG topography provides a continuous visualization of lumbar muscle activity distribution and coordination.
- Significant differences in muscle coordination exist between healthy individuals and LBP patients, detectable via dynamic SEMG topography.
- This technique offers a valuable tool for assessing LBP, monitoring muscle function, and evaluating rehabilitation effectiveness.
